A Proverbs 31 Kind of Day

I've had a moment of reflection only to discover that I love cranberries. Not to pop one of the tart fruits in my mouth to savor, as that would pucker even the strongest of women. But the red-jeweled fruit is amazing, I think, and often under valued. While shopping this week, I saw the first opportunity to purchase cranberries. There were two options; the small 12 ounce bag, or the large two pound bag. It's when I took note of the thought in my head when I saw the options that I realized, "I really do love cranberries!" While shopping, I began to think of the ways I'd use the cranberries, and also wondered if I needed to grab another bag, "just in case one bag wasn't enough." Today, I made roasted cranberries. I think this will be delicious as a smear on a chicken sandwich or wrap a topping in a quinoa bowl with a bit of crumbled goat cheese, roasted butternut squash, and a few chopped pecans a sauce for a turke...

When we lived in Texas, there was a grocery store that I loved! It kind of sounds weird, but the Mr. and I like to go to grocery stores and look around. You can find some of the most interesting things to try! This particular grocery store has a great "ready to eat" market area. One of the visits, I found this salad and just had to try it. Several times after that, every time we would go, I'd get a small amount of the salad to enjoy. One day, I thought, "why am I buying this -- it is so easy to make." So I stopped buying it and started making it. Of course, they don't list the recipe for all to see, but I merely went on what I tasted and saw. Easy Grape Salad Grapes, cleaned and stems removed (I prefer red seedless grapes for this salad) Blue cheese, crumbled chopped walnuts* Wash grapes and remove stems and toss into a bowl.  If you have time, cut some of the grapes in half and leave some whole.  This is my preference when making...

By the looks of the blog, we haven't been eating, but by the looks of my waist-line, that's not the case! While we have certainly had meals between the last post and today, there hasn't been just a lot of time to experiment with new recipes. However, we have made a few new dishes and enjoyed laughter, friends, and family around the table. Now that school is just around the corner for our youngest cherub and we just moved our oldest cherub back to college for dorm living, I hope to resume to blog posting. What that translates for my family is "food!" This summer, we made this easy-to-fix, easy-to-serve salad several times. While the corn growing season may have already passed it's peak, you can still find fresh corn at farmer's markets and your local grocery store. And with just a few simple ingredients, that you probably already have on hand, you can toss this up in no time. What I like about this salad is the flexibility; whether...

I'm a self-proclaimed ranch dressing snob. I like ranch dressing, but I'm particular about it. So please do not offer the bottled ranch dressing to me. It's not my preference. Which is a nice way of saying I don't like it. It's nothing against bottled ranch dressing . . . it's that I just don't really like most bottled dressings. Confession time is over;  back to the ranch dressing. I like good ranch dressing. Ranch dressing with flavor. Ranch dressing with zip. Ranch dressing with depth. Ranch dressing that has "character" to it. That's why I like this ranch dressing. I think I ought to call it "green ranch dressing," because I mix it together in a blender, which does change the color of the dressing. But if you want to mix it by hand, then I think you'll not call your dressing "green ranch dressing." So, why do I mix it together in the blender, you ask? Because I like it really, real...

Everyone has their favorite chicken salad. But if you're like me, you're always on the search for "the best" chicken salad. I've scoured lots of church cookbooks, tea room recipes, and magazines searching for an even better chicken salad recipe. Truthfully, I've had some delicious chicken salads. But this one . . . this is one of my favs! I've used this recipe for more than 15 years. Honestly, though, I don't make it a lot. And for that, I'm not sure as to the reason. Bust as we planned a get-away this Summer, I decided to make this to take with us. When we travel to the mountains, that is our let down and relax time. I don't mind cooking . . .but I want to do it at home and just take it with us in the cooler. That way, while we're away, I feel like I'm getting a vacation too -- rather than having to spend so much time preparing meals! Chicken Salad 3 cups cooked & cubed chicken (I roast a whole ch...

I've had a can of tuna in my pantry for a while now. I think about using it. I look at it and think, "I really need to use that." But today, I craved tuna! I think "craving" is your body's way of getting something it's missing. Seriously! Like iron, or vitamins, or minerals, or Riboflavin. I'm kidding about Riboflavin; I just like saying that, even though I don't know what it is! For lunch, I took my one little can of tuna and made tuna salad. Only my girl cherub was at home, so I offered to share. She's wasn't to excited about tuna salad; she said it smells gross. True. Why is that? What a turn-off; to rip off the lid of tuna at work . . . . and the room fills with the disgusting smell of tuna! But I'm at home today so I didn't worry about offending anybody; not even my girl cherub! After I made the salad, I offered my girl cherub a bite. G...

Now that the cherubs do their school from home, lunch time is a little more . . . involved. You know, for years, I'd send my cherubs off to school with the packed lunch. A sandwich, a bag of something crunchy, some resemblance of fruit, and a dessert. They never really complained. Matter of fact, I never remember hearing a grumble about their lunch. But now that they're home for lunch, it's like they've forgotten that a sandwich is sufficient! It's not long after I get the kitchen cleaned up from breakfast, they're asking what's for lunch! I'm seriously creating 3 meals a day! Sometimes I just don't have it in me . . . but today! Today, was a lunch success! Using left-over grilled chicken, and a few other ingredients, this lunch hit the lunch win! I started out just making this little lunch for my girl cherub. After I tasted it to see if it was seasoned right, I decided that we would all have it for lunch! I love t...

I was away when the Mr. and the cherubs went to lunch. My boy cherub called me afterwards, all excited about this salad he had eaten. "Mom, it's so good!  You're going to have to make it!" Mind you, he had a general idea of the ingredients. By general, I mean what he could see! No thought of the ingredients that might be in it, but unseen! This week at the store, I bought the ingredients to make this salad he has raved about. To be fair, I want you to know that I've doubted this as remotely being something I would want to eat. It doesn't sound good. But he and the girl cherub say it is! I even splurged on real Greek Feta cheese. The one in the brine. Just like we had while in Greece. It DOES make a difference! I had no idea, but that's for another post! I measured nothing, but went my sight and the cherub's taste. I am delightfully surprised and I actually like it. I will be making this again, that's for sur...

I honestly can't believe I haven't shared this recipe. It's not because I make it a lot. Matter of fact, I haven't made it in a very long time. But it is a good stand-by for those Summer dinners. I first got this recipe more than 10 years ago. We were living in Oklahoma City and the Mr. and I packed up the two cherubs and we went on a weekend get-a-way to cook for a "mature" crowd who was having a retreat. There were about 70 "mature" friends that spent the weekend at the lake. The guys fished and golfed. The girls shopped or golfed. At night, everyone sat around laughing and playing games. That's where I learned to play "Jokers!" I've got the best Jokers board around, thanks to a very talented wood-worker friend! As our friends golfed, fished, or shopped, the Mr. and I prepared the meals. 3 meals a day for the weekend. One night we served cole slaw. After we ate, one of the ladies said she had a...

I love friends like this . . . "Hey! What are you doing for dinner tonight?" "I don't know . . .what are y'all doing?" "I have no idea!  I've got chicken." "O.K!  I've got bacon." "I can bring some chips and ice cream." "O.K!  I've got caramel sauce and tea!" "Great!" "Perfect!  Y'all come down about 6." I looked in the cabinets to see what else I could bring to the table; literally! I had a couple of apples. I thought an apple slaw, or apple salad, or something with an apple sounded good. I went pilfering and here's the result! I just guessed at the measurements and went by sight on the cranberries and nuts. You can make adjustments where you need and according to your taste and the number of people you are serving! We did not have too much left over from our impromptu dinner with friends, but my girl cherub and I had the wee bit of left over ap...

It is Vacation Bible school this week at church. That means many things: By the end of the week, I will be so tired! We come home in the afternoon starving for lunch! My housework doesn't get completed as I like. But, it is a great week!   I love it because I get to work with my boy cherub this week too! That's really fun! Next year, my girl cherub can join us because she will be in the student ministry. That might make me cry. Not because it makes me sad...but because I'm tired and when I'm tired I can cry easily! Today, I needed an easy and quick lunch because I was running out the door shortly after. I saw an avocado in the fridge.... That avocado isn't there now! Yum, yum! Rustic Avocado Salad 1 avocado, chopped 1/2 tomato, chopped, 1/4 of small onion, chopped 1/2 lime Salt Pepper In a small bowl, add the chopped avocado, tomato, and onion.  Add the juice of 1/2 a lime and season with salt...

I seriously love croutons. Homemade croutons. Oh, there are some pre-packaged croutons that I like . . . but give me homemade croutons and I'm happy. Truthfully, I was sad when my cherubs decided that they didn't like croutons and ranch dip for a snack anymore! That's when they were very little preschool cherubs! This weekend, I made more cinnamon grilled chicken. I knew the cherubs could take chicken sandwiches in their lunch and we could have the chicken on salad for dinner. That's when I decided we needed croutons too! Last week, I made bread and I took some of that and transformed it into croutons! I wouldn't suggest using regular sandwich white bread, but you can definitely use any "sturdy" bread and make your own salad croutons . . . or snacking croutons! Easy Croutons Leftover bread, cubed (you'll want a firm dense bread such as French bread or homemade bread) olive oil seasonings -- salt and pepper is a grea...

I'm being very creative with our  meals these days. That translates to this:  " Wow !  I really need to go to the grocery store!" Honestly, who enjoys that job? Going to the grocery store? I really don't. I've been in this position before; where I really need to go, but it's gotten so bad, and we need so much stuff, that I don't really want to go. So I'm challenging myself:  how creative can I be with what we have! This won! On Sunday, driving home from church, I came up with this lunch special! Because this is based on what you have, or don't have, the amounts and ingredients are only suggestions! Pasta and Spinach Salad 8 oz pasta, cooked grape tomatoes olive oil salt and pepper onions, sliced butter balsamic vinegar sugar grilled chicken Parmesan cheese, fresh grated balsamic vinaigrette dressing Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a small cookie sheet with foil. Toss grape tomatoes with olive oil and ...

I had a great afternoon of having ladies over for lunch. I called it "Lunch and Laughter!" My goal was to relax just a smidge before the cherubs got out of school for the Summer! Goal accomplished! I made it super easy by serving Cathedral Chicken Salad  (recipe link here:  http://karen-proverbs31.blogspot.com/2012/01/cathedral-chicken-salad.html ) My favorite Spinach Salad (recipe link here:  http://karen-proverbs31.blogspot.com/2011/03/another-salad-dressing.html ) Deli Pasta Salad Creamy Limeade Cake (recipe link here:  http://karen-proverbs31.blogspot.com/2012/09/creamy-limade-pound-cake.html ) I really liked this pasta salad.  It was a new recipe that I tried. I am all the time trying pasta salad recipes. I want to make good pasta salad. But I honestly don't have the knack! Seriously! It can't be hard, but for me . . . it is! But, I finally think I've succeeded! You try it and see what you think! Deli Pasta Salad 1 ...

Image used from the Internet . . . but it looks pretty close to what my salad looks like! I met Melba about 15  years ago. We ended up teaching 3rd grade Sunday School together, with another friend of ours, Judy. We three taught together nearly 10 years! There is nobody like Melba! She's a mover and a shaker and if you need something done -- just ask Melba! She'll grab the bull by the horns and do her job . . .and maybe your job too! Melba is also a good cook! One day she told me about this pasta salad. You're not going to believe it when you read the ingredients. But I'm telling you -- any time that I serve it, I'm always asked for the recipe. I don't know what it is about this salad, but it's a hit! It's called Rainbow Pasta Salad. But really, I ought to call it "Melba's Pasta Salad!" Rainbow Pasta Salad 1 bag Rainbow Pasta, cooked according to directions 2 carrots, cleaned and shredded or chopped 1 re...

Now that Summer is almost over, I'm getting ready to make this "perfect summer" salad! I think you'd call that, "being behind the curve ball!" Regardless, this salad is amazing! There's nothing too complex about it. I like the different colors of veggies in the salad when tossed with the okra. Ok -- really, I like the fried okra! Truth of the matter, since I recommend using frozen okra, you can have this salad whenever you feel like . . . even if it's at the end of Summer! Fried Okra Salad 1 large bag of breaded frozen okra, cooked according to package (fried!), and cooled 8-9 pieces of bacon, cooked and crumbled 1-2 tomatoes, chopped (you can use a container of small cherub/cherry tomatoes) 1 bunch of green onion (or a sweet summer onion), chopped 1-2 green bell peppers, chopped 1/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup oil 1/4 cup vinegar In a large bowl, place the cooked and cooled fried okra, crumbled bacon, chopped tomatoes, onion, an...

I remember when the cherubs were little cherubs. They loved to dip croutons in ranch dressing. I loved for them to dip croutons in ranch dressing. That meant I got to eat some croutons. I love croutons! Who ever came up with serving dried out flavored bread on salads? I don't know, but I think I love them! What I don't like about croutons are the cheap, tiny croutons. Can't stand those! What I also don't like is the cost of croutons! The ones I like aren't all that expensive . . .  . . .until you look at the amount that comes in the bag! Remember the Caesar salad I made to take to dinner at a friend's house? I also made homemade croutons! That's one of those crazy things you do when your air conditioner is out! Heat the oven to 250 degree for 2 hours or until all the bread is dried out. Made perfect sense! Make yourself some croutons and impress your friends! This recipe may drive you crazy -- I have no amounts!  It'...

Disclaimer:  I am not particularly fond of Caesar Salad or the dressing. The croutons,on the other hand, I kinda like those. But not so much anything else. My cherubs, on the other hand, really like Caesar salad. Sometimes, I'm nice and give a salad choice. When I do that I make 2 Caesar salads for them and 2 different salads for me and the Mr. However, we were going to dinner at a friend's house and I agreed to take a salad. I gave them a choice. Her reply, "OH!  We like either!" My girl cherub was the deciding vote -- Caesar won! But because my friend is a good cook -- I had to go above and beyond and make homemade croutons . . .  .  . . AND homemade Caesar dressing! Since I don't have  a dressing recipe, I began to search. The basic difference I found:  either it's "real" and it's made with oil and egg yolk, or it's "kinda real" and it's made with mayonnaise as the base. Because my air is out a...

Truth:  in the Summer, I'm more of a "cook once, serve twice" kind of girl. My family would say it's more of a "cook once, serve as many times as you can!" Either way, it's too hot to be doing a lot of cooking in the kitchen . .  .and too much baseball to watch! With the southwest corn dip that my mom made for the 4th of July celebration, we had left-overs. Because I don't really like left-overs, left-over, I try to re-invent them. With left-over grilled chicken . . . Left-over southwest corn dip  . . . Left-over grated cheese . .  .  . . . and tortillas, I created this! Warm Grilled Chicken and Corn Salad Wrap Grilled chicken, sliced very thinly against the grain* Southwest Corn Dip Shredded Monterrey Jack cheese Tortillas Butter Preheat skillet to medium heat. Add a smidge of butter; enough to coat the bottom of the pan. Place a tortilla on the counter.  Fill with the corn dip.  Top with the sliced chicken....

My mom made this for the 4th of July celebration. This recipe is from a friend of hers . . . . who got it from a friend . . . . and so the cycle goes! After I tasted this corn dip, I hopped on the computer lickety-split fast and asked permission to post. Thankfully, she said yes! You are SO lucky! We've probably all had the corn dip with the mayo and onion and fritos. It's good. But I'm thinking this one is better! I like the black beans in this one. Maybe that's the secret! I'm not sure. Maybe it's because I thought of another way to use this salad. I'll show you that next! I didn't make this recipe, but what I do know is that it makes a big bowl! I think it would be easily halved.  I would use the can of black beans and I would omit the jalapenos but use the entire 4 ounce can of green chilies. You look at the recipe and see if you agree. If not, just make it, share it, and enjoy it! Southwest Corn Dip 4 cans...