Category Archives: Salads

Fruit and Vegetable Salads

Yukon Gold Potato Salad

Summer time for picnics and favorite foods:  Potato Salad

Summer is the time to bring out the salads and serve food we do not cook all winter when we are hungry for comfort foods.  Let’s call potato salad as the summer time comfort food.  What else goes with hot dogs, hamburgers, bratwursts, and barbecues and picnic? 

I usually use Russet potatoes for potato salad, however, while at the Farmer’s Market there were fresh Yukon Gold Potatoes.  I had to try them; successfully using the same recipe, I marinated the cooked hot peeled potatoes with the sweet pickle relish to add more sweet and distinctive flavor.

Yukon Gold Potato Salad

Yukon Gold Potato Salad

Yukon Gold Potato Salad

Julia Ann
Yukon Gold potatoes are used to make a flavorful potato salad to serve at picnics, family, and company dinners.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 5 Yukon Gold potatoes medium size
  • Water to cover
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish more if needed to flavor potatoes
  • 1/4 cup onion finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup celery finely chopped
  • 1 hard boiled egg diced
  • 1/2-3/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon celery seed
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • dash paprika

Instructions
 

  • Boil the washed, unpeeled potatoes in the water and salt, until tender, 20-25 minutes.
  • Drain off water
  • Peel potatoes
  • Dice in 1/2 inch sizes, use potatoes that crumble into pieces or somewhat mashed
  • Add the pickle relish to absorb into the potatoes to add flavor, more or less as needed for taste.
  • Add the vegetables and egg to the potatoes
  • Combine mayonnaise, prepared mustard and celery seed.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Carefully stir dressing into the potatoes, vegetables and egg.
  • Refrigerate overnight.

Notes

My preference is mashed potato salad, so having crumbles or broken bits of potato pieces is not a problem. A firmer potato will result by not cooking it as long if preference is for a bigger bite of the potato.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

Yukon Gold Potato Salad

Yukon Gold Potato Salad

Summer time meals are so easy to fix without getting into sandwiches and chips.  We are having plenty of green beans, , sauteed yellow squash, zucchinis, fried corn and tomatoes with our potato salad.  Next comes the fresh fruits of fall.

Summer Garden Vegetables

Summer Garden Vegetables

Summer Dinner

Summer Dinner

 

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Crock Pot Applesauce

Honey Crisp Apples make delicious applesauce.

Honey Crisp Applesauce Plain and Cinnamon

Honey Crisp Applesauce, Plain and Cinnamon

We were in central Indiana last week, passed an orchard by New Castle, Indiana and could not resist the big sign of Honey Crisp Apples.  So we bought a few, they were so large and nice.  After a apple crumb pie, apple salad, applesauce, apples with cabbage, fried apples, snacking on apples, we needed more apples.  This time we got seconds, said to be used for cooking, well, they were as good as the prime apples for eating. 

Plain Crock Pot Honey Crisp Applesauce

Plain Crock Pot Honey Crisp Applesauce

Applesauce, just right for snack time or on top of toast.

Applesauce is a favorite fruit to have on hand for desserts, eating on bread or to use in baking.  This time I decided to get out the crock pot.  That really makes it easy and a time saver to do other things while the apples are cooking. 

Crock Pot Honey Crisp Applesauce

Crock Pot Honey Crisp Applesauce

I did plain applesauce: cooked  apples and put  the sauce  into clean jars to be kept in the refrigerator.  I did actually preserve some by using water bath canning..  I anticipated a much larger batch of applesauce.  A lot of water boiling, for cleaning jars and for water bath kettle for 3 pints of applesauce.  Oh well,  it was a good practice  as I do not do canning often.

Plain Crock Pot Honey Crisp Applesauce

Crock Pot Applesauce

Julia Ann
Cooking apples in a crock pot is easy and a quick way to make applesauce, plain or cinnamon.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 4 pints

Ingredients
  

  • 15 large apples
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon.

Instructions
 

  • Put 2 tablespoon lemon juice into large bowl.
  • Peel, core and cut apples into 1 1/2 inch chunks or 8ths put into the large bowl.
  • Stir frequently to get the lemon juice on the apples to prevent browning.
  • Put into the crock pot.
  • Add the water, sugar and cinnamon.
  • Cook in the crock pot for 2 hours on high.
  • Mash with a potato masher to desired consistency.
  • Put into clean pint jars and cover with lids,
  • Store in refrigerator to use.
  • Or store cans on the shelf after water bath canning.

Notes

This is not my original recipe. The internet and cookbooks are similar; it varies by quantity of ingredients, much is to your tastes. For plain applesauce, omit the cinnamon. Run through the food processor or blender if a smoother applesauce is desired.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Honey Crisp Applesauce Plain and Cinnamon

Honey Crisp Applesauce, Plain and Cinnamon

For recipes using applesauce, check out this sites:

Simply Recipes.com – Applesauce Spice Cake

foodnetwork.com – Roasted Pork Loin with Cider and Chunky Applesauce

Popsugar.com – Recipes Using Applesauce

 

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Ham Salad Spread

Spring time and ready for a picnic lunch!

These are times of minus temperatures,  –1 to  -21 degrees, piles of snow, school closings, road accidents, frozen water lines,  etc.  Enough of that!  How about looking for some spring flowers and plan the first picnic?  I will bring Ham Salad Spread for sandwiches and cracker appetizers.  Let’s see;  we need carrot and celery sticks, broccoli florets, a vegetable dip. I think a fruit bowl would be good:  fresh strawberries, blueberries, grapes, pineapple, diced orange and sprinkling of fennel seeds on top.   Just because it is the first picnic of year, I would add a big bag of potato chips.  Are you with me?

Ham Salad spread on Sandwiches and Crackers

Ham Salad Spread on Sandwiches and Crackers

I will even bring the spring flowers.  The purple crocus are such a delightful surprise in the spring, and sometimes have to come up in the snow.  They are hardy little buggers to enjoy.

Spring Crocus

Spring Crocus

Then soon daffodils  will be showing off.

Daffodils awaking from winter

Daffodils awaking from winter.

Keep looking at the trees as you travel along the highways and back roads of the Midwest to see the pink of the red bud tree and white of the dogwoods.

Back Yard Red Bud Tree

Back Yard Red Bud Tree                                                                                                           

Enough dreaming about spring.

Ready for a Ham Salad Spread sandwich and crackers.

Ham Salad Sandwich and on crackers for appetizer

Ham Salad Sandwich and  crackers for appetizer

Ham Salad Spread

Julia Ann
A sweet and spicy Ham Salad Spread to be used on crackers topped with veggies or a sandwich spread for luncheon, buffet or an anytime picnic.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Appetizer or Sandwich Spread
Cuisine American
Servings 3 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups ham in 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup Colby Cheese in 1-inch cubes
  • 3 tablespoons chopped onion
  • 3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 8 drops hot pepper sauce

Instructions
 

  • To reduce the salt in the ham cubes, drain and rinse with running water.
  • Put the ham cubes, cheese cubes, onion, relish and lemon juice into food processor.
  • Pulse about 3-4 times until ham is finely chopped.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and process until well blended.
  • Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.
  • More mayonnaise, mustard or hot sauce may be added to your taste.
  • Put ham salad into serving bowl and refrigerate until ready for use.
  • Serve on assorted crackers or breads.

Notes

Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice®
brings you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “
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All rights reserved.
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Ham Salad Spread Sandwich and appetizer.

Ham Salad Spread Sandwich and Appetizer

And for dessert American Apple Pie

Apple Pie

 

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Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® brings you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “ Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® All rights reserved.

Spinach-Romaine Lettuce Salad

Spinach-Romaine Lettuce Salad

Spinach-Romaine Lettuce Salad

 

 Gourmet Spinach-Romaine Lettuce Salad

My first “gourmet salad”, Spinach-Romaine Lettuce Salad, big time and new idea in 1978.  Bon Appétit was probably the originator of this recipe.  At that time mixing fresh mushrooms and oranges in salad was being original.  How times have changed!  No longer do we expect  the same foods being served together.  An example:  meat loaf made with ground beef, served with white mashed potatoes, gravy and green beans with iceberg lettuce salad. Consider a new take on the same menu:  meat loaf made with ground turkey, risotto , Brussels sprouts with pearl onions and sesame seeds and pear salad.

Brussels Sprouts with Pearl Onions

Brussels Sprouts with Pearl Onions and Sesame Seeds

Diversity of our neighborhoods and communities have made diversity in the foods we eat and have available at our grocers and Farmer’s Market.  In my city  there are multiple Asian and Hispanic grocery stores  in addition to the chain and big box stores that offer a variety of foods to meet the needs of most nationalities and for those just wanting to learn new recipes and tastes to broaden our understanding of flavors, cooking, and even cultures.

Spinach-Romaine Lettuce Salad

Julia Ann
A easy mixed fresh spinach-romaine lettuce salad with mushrooms, oranges, bacon and nuts.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Salads
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 3 cups fresh romaine leaves and hearts torn into bite size
  • 1/2 cup fresh crimini mushrooms sliced
  • 4 slices bacon
  • 1-2 navel oranges
  • 1/4 cup toasted whole almonds
  • Seasoned Vinaigrette Dressing

Instructions
 

  • Wash and dry spinach and romaine leaves and hearts.
  • Slice the mushrooms
  • Fry the bacon crisp and drain on toweling paper. Break bacon into small pieces.
  • Cut off the peel and white pith on the navel oranges, cut in 1/2 inch slices and quarter.
  • Toast the almonds, allow to cool.
  • Assemble the greens into a large bowl.
  • Add some of the vinaigrette and mix greens.
  • Add mushrooms, bacon, oranges and almonds.
  • Mix more vinaigrette or have available for serving.

Notes

Sliced red onions and/or feta cheese are also additions to be added to this salad.
Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® brings
you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® All rights reserved.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

This recipe is not exotic nor in 2015 is it very ”gourmet” or different.  It is a salad that is great in the winter time with the oranges and the current fad of bacon on everything.  This is just a reminder of ingredients with a different mix,  ago-to recipe to add to your collection. Enjoy.

Menu Suggestions:

 

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Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice®  bring you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox®  All rights reserved.

 

Caramelized Oranges with Almonds

Caramelized Oranges with Almonds

Caramelized Oranges with Almonds

A few years ago I was cleaning out boxes stored in a closet.  I found a cookbook in a box, Williams-Sonoma, Simple Italian Cooking recipes by Chuck Williams.  These recipes started my adventure in Italian cooking and eating.  The Mediterranean Diet works for my family with plenty of fresh vegetables and fresh fruit.  My Caramelized Oranges with Almonds is adapted from a favorite recipe “Oranges with Mint and Toasted Almonds.”  I made a few changes to  the recipe and serve as  an appetizer, salad or dessert.  It is wonderful with a brunch instead of orange juice.  Put the oranges on spinach or romaine lettuce the syrup for dressing;  there is a salad for dinner of chicken and pasta.  After eating a heavy meal of beef stew, Caramelized Oranges with Almonds lend a sweet and light dessert to the meal.

Caramelized Oranges with Almonds

Caramelized Oranges with Almonds

Caramelized Oranges with Almonds

Julia Ann
A dish of fresh oranges in mild sweet syrup with toasted almonds and coconut for an appetizer, salad or dessert.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Appetizers / Salad / Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon slivered orange zest
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon sweet Marsala wine optional
  • 4 large navel oranges
  • 4 tablespoons toasted almond slices
  • 4 tablespoons toasted shredded coconut

Instructions
 

  • Wash and dry oranges.
  • Grate the rind off the oranges to get the zest.
  • Cut off the top and bottom of the oranges.
  • Cut off the peel and white pith.
  • Slice the peeled oranges into 1/2 inch slices, put into a serving bowl.
  • Save any orange juice.
  • In a medium sauce pan, put the zest, sugar, lemon juice, wine and orange juice.
  • Cook over medium heat until mixture is amber colored, about 5 minutes without stirring.
  • Remove the syrup from heat and pour over the orange slices.
  • Serve chilled or at room temperature.
  • Serve slices with the toasted almonds and toasted coconut on top.

Notes

Inspired by Williams-Sonoma Simple Italian Cooking...........................Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice® brings you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.” Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® All rights reserved.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

Suggestions of other recipes to serve with Caramelized Oranges

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Cookbookinabox of Gourmet and Everyday Recipes

Cookbookinabox of Gourmet and Everyday Recipes

 

 

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Julia Ann and cookbookinabox® in partnership with Netta Belle’s Choice®  brings you great recipes for your cooking experience. ©2007-2018 Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox® “Reg. U.S. Pat. & Trdmk. Off.”  Reg. “Trade-marks Canadian Intellectual Property Office. “Netta Belle’s Choice® The Art of Gourmet Cookery® cookbookinabox®  All rights reserved.