Corn & Barley Salad

Original Recipe HERE

This is a hearty side dish that could be a main course if you added some kielbasa or chicken.

I tweaked amounts based on what I had in my pantry.  I used one good-sized clove of garlic in the vinaigrette, and it was too sharp.  Next time I'll use a smaller one or leave it out entirely.  A little bit of sugar could balance the red wine vinegar and tomato, too.  And some diced cheese would probably be good.  We had brie on our burgers the same night I made this, and I was intrigued by the idea of adding some to the salad...but I ran out of time.

And "...but I ran out of time" is how I end just about every statement of good intentions these days.

Ingredients

* For vinaigrette:

1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes

1 small clove garlic

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 Tablespoons water

1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

1 Tablespoon diced red onion

salt & pepper

* For salad:

1 cup barley or brown rice [I used barley]

2 cups fresh or thawed corn [I used frozen]

1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered

1/2 to 1 cup finely diced red onion

4 to 6 slices bacon, chopped

1 avocado, chopped [I didn't use]

salt & pepper

Directions

* For vinaigrette:

(1) Combine tomatoes and garlic in a small food processor (I used my magic bullet).  Process until smooth.

(2) Add oil, water, vinegar, lemon juice, and red onion.  Process until well combined.

(3) Add salt and pepper to taste.

* For salad:

(1) Place corn in a colander to thaw, if necessary.  Top with red onion.

(2) Cook barley according to package directions.  Drain into colander with corn and onion.

(3) While barley is cooking, cook bacon until crisp.  Drain.

(4) Combine barley, corn, tomatoes, onion, bacon, and avocado (if using) in a large bowl.

(5) Pour vinaigrette over salad.  Stir until well combined.  Chill.

Kid Participation: Stirring...that's about it.

White Bean & Spinach Salad

Original Recipe HERE

A side dish that's flavorful and guaranteed to be do-able any night of the week.  I always have these ingredients on hand.

I used red wine vinegar instead of cider.  The mustard was a little strong...the flavor was fine for me, but possibly a little too bold for kids.  I'd reduce it slightly next time.

I upped the bean amount to three cans, and it meant enough leftovers for a good-sized lunch portion the next day.  But otherwise, it was gobbled up by the five of us (*A* was too busy singing "Moana" songs to focus on eating).

Ingredients

3 cans (15 oz each) navy beans, drained & rinsed

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced & chopped

4 cups fresh spinach leaves

2 & 1/2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 & 1/2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar

1/2 teaspoon basil

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/2 teaspoon thyme

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

(1) Take handfuls of spinach and slice the leaves into thin strips.

(2) Rinse onion pieces; drain.

(3) In large bowl, whisk together mustard, vinegar, spices, and salt.

(4) Toss beans, spinach, and onion with dressing.

Kid Participation:

* Whisk dressing

* Stir salad ingredients together

Asparagus, Egg, & Bacon Salad

Original Recipe HERE

I knew this was a guaranteed failure for my kids before I even made it, but I figured I'd like it.  And I did.  Good thing I doubled some of the elements (new amounts reflected below) because it fed me the next day, too.

I made it ahead of time for dinner and combined everything except the bacon...saved that until the end.  I also had some extra tomatoes hanging around, so those went in.  I'd consider goat cheese or feta just to try it, but it's perfectly fine without it.  I served it room temperature the first time and scarfed it cold from the fridge the second, so temperature didn't matter (or my standards are very low.  See: I eat 90% of my meals standing up right now).

Ingredients

2 hard boiled eggs, peeled & sliced

2.5 to 3 cups chopped asparagus

4 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled

2 Roma tomatoes, chopped & seeded

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons red wine vinegar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions

(1) Bring a pot of water to a boil.  Add asparagus; cook 2 to 3 minutes until tender yet firm.

(2) Drain asparagus.  Run under cold water.  Set aside.

(3) In a small bowl, whisk together Dijon, oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper.

(4) Toss the asparagus, egg, and tomato with dressing.  Top with bacon just before serving.

Kid Participation: None.

Fresh Corn Salad

Original Recipe HERE

 

This was a refreshing summer salad that would be great to share at a picnic.  I believe the key is to use fresh corn instead of frozen or canned.  The original recipe says it yields about 5 cups of salad, but I didn't measure it.  The kids weren't big fans, but the adults liked it and were happy to have leftovers hold up well until the next day.

 

I forgot to add the fresh basil and it tasted fine as-is, but I imagine it would only improve it.  Also, I threw in more than 1/2 cup of feta.

 

Ingredients

4 ears fresh corn, husks and silk removed
1 package (10 oz) grape tomatoes
1/3 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1-1/2 Tablespoons olive oil
2-1/2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

 

Directions

(1) Add corn to a large pot of boiling water.  Cook about 5 minutes (do not exceed 8).

(2) Immediately put corn into a bowl of ice water for a few minutes.

(3) While corn is being prepared, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. 

(4) Cut tomatoes in half; add to bowl with dressing.

(5) Add green onions and basil to tomato mixture.

(6) Cut corn kernels from cobs; add to tomato mixture.

(7) Gently stir in feta.

(8) Cover.  Refrigerate several hours for best results.

 

Kid Participation:

* shuck (husk?) corn

* get covered in mosquito bites from shucking corn outside

Haricot Verts [Green Beans] with Shallot Dressing

Original Recipe HERE

(Very similar recipe HERE)

 

 

I picked up a package of haricot verts on a whim at Trader Joe's (which is how about 75% of my purchases can be classified there...I go in for two things and come out with several full bags).  Googling was necessary to figure out what to do with them.

 

The original recipe only called for one slice of bacon, which I scoffed at.  What good is one slice?  You need a minimum of four in a recipe - or, in our family's case, five (one for each member).

 

The kids all liked these, which is a surprise since *P* isn't a veggie eater and doesn't do much with all the other green beans that cross his plate.

 

Ingredients

4 slices bacon

12 oz haricot verts (French green beans)

3 Tablespoons olive oil

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons red wine vinegar [or white wine vinegar]

1 shallot, finely chopped

 

Directions

(1) In large skillet, cook bacon until evenly browned.  Set aside; wipe out most of bacon grease from pan.

(2) Sautee shallot in bacon grease until softened.  Remove from pan.

(3) In medium bowl, whisk together oil, mustard, and vinegar.  Add shallot.

(4) Meanwhile, steam haricot verts until just tender (retain some crispness).

(5) Toss haricot verts in dressing.  Serve topped with crumbled bacon.

 

Kid Participation: None.

 

Baked Ham with Spiced Cherry Glaze

Original Recipe HERE

* This is one of the menu items Husband researched, planned, shopped for, and executed for Easter 2013. It was the best meal he's ever made. *

 

Ingredients

Nonstick spray

1 (5-pound) boneless ready-to-eat ham

1/2 cup water or white wine [he used water]

1 cup cherry preserves

1 tablespoon creamy prepared horseradish [he used regular]

1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 lemon, zested and juiced

 

Directions

(1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a roasting pan with foil and spray it with nonstick spray.

(2) Score the top and sides of the ham with a small sharp knife in a crisscross pattern.

(3) Put the ham in the pan, pour 1/2 cup water or white wine into the bottom of the pan and bake, covered loosely with a tent of foil, 45 to 60 minutes.

(4) To make the glaze, combine the preserves, horseradish, brown sugar, cinnamon, cumin, cardamom, salt, and lemon juice in a medium bowl.

(5) Transfer the cherry mixture to a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil until the glaze is slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in the lemon zest.

(6) Remove the ham from the oven and brush the top with 1/4 cup of the glaze.

(7) Bake, uncovered, until the ham is hot and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 140 degrees F, about 20 minutes longer.

(8) Remove the ham from the oven to a cutting board and let stand 10 minutes before slicing. Arrange the sliced ham on a serving platter and serve with the reserved glaze.

Green Beans Provencal

Original Recipe HERE

 

* This is one of the menu items Husband researched, planned, shopped for, and executed for Easter 2013. It was the best meal he's ever made. * 

 

Ingredients

salt

1 1/2 pounds green beans, ends trimmed

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic, very finely chopped

2 tomatoes, diced

15 kalamata olives, pitted and halved

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Freshly ground black pepper

 

Directions

(1) Prepare an ice-water bath by filling a large bowl with ice and water.

(2) Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the beans and cook until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes.

(3) Drain well in a colander, then set the colander with beans in the ice-water bath, making sure the beans are submerged. Drain the beans, shaking off the excess water.

(4) In the same pot, heat the oil over low heat. Add beans, garlic, tomatoes, olives and basil, and toss to combine.

(5) Drizzle vinegar over beans and toss to coat. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot, warm, or cold.