Spring Roll Salad

Pin It Now!

Working full time again has made it hard for me to keep up with my blogs!!  I feel so behind...but teaching again has really kept me busy and here in Saudi, that's such a good thing.  I must admit, I am amazed at how difficult it is to be a mom, wife and full time teacher.  Talk about trying to find balance in your life!  I'm so thankful I have a husband who is supportive and helps out...a lot.  
Of course, it's also taken a toll on my cooking style.  Thankfully, another lady who recently moved sold me her crock-pot.  What a lifesaver!!! (they don't exist here in Saudi...trust me, I've looked and looked!)  I've been scouring the web for amazing slow cooker recipes. 
In the meantime, I will try and get caught up with past recipes that I've been making.  

Another fab find from Pinterest.  It's my go-to cookbook now.  :)  
This was a great salad.  I made it to take to a pot luck and there wasn't nothing left at the end.  (which made me kind of sad because I was hoping for leftovers)
I had to alter the recipe based on what I could actually find here, but the end result was still delish.  

By the way....what's your favorite slow cooker recipe?

Thursday: Cantaloupe, Prosciutto and Arugula Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette

Pin It Now! Cantaloupe, along with all the other melons are crazy cheap right now.  Tis' the season and all that.  Well, I for one am always trying to pick out a great melon only to get it home and have it taste horrible.  Did some research and found this great video on picking out cantaloupe.  This time I'm at the store I'm going to score!


The recipe for this salad sounds lovely.  If you've never tried cantaloupe and procuitto, you're missing out.  We first had it during a trip to Italy.  I kinda balked at the melon with what looked like uncooked bacon wrapped around it...but oh my, my mouth said "More Please!!"  Great blend of salty and sweet.

I'm going to make this as a side dish to some delicious Chicken Picatta

Here's the link to that recipe:    Chicken Picatta

View the whole recipe and find a video on how to pick out the pefect cantaloupe.  Just click: Read More

Tuesday: Steak and "Salad"

Pin It Now!

Steak is good any night...I'll probably just marinate these in some red wine, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce and minced garlic.  The real treat of tonight is the side.  I LOVE this dish.  I could eat it for all three meals.  It has a wonderful vinegar bite from the banana peppers.  I use reduced fat Mont Jack, turkey salami, and canellini beans (white kidney beans) and I ALWAYS double the recipe.  So yummy.

Acini di pepe [ah-CHEE-nee dee-PAY-pay] are tiny pasta rounds resembling peppercorns. Use ditalini (very short tube-shaped macaroni) or any other small pasta shape if you can't find acini di pepe in your supermarket. Serve with Asiago breadsticks.  Most stores now carry these tiny pastas...look for them in a box. 

Monday: Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad

Pin It Now! Quick and Easy!!  I've made this dish before and I've really enjoyed the taste.  I didn't know where to find Chipotle chili peppers in adobe sauce, but I then spotted them in the International section of the grocery store.  They are by the jalapeños and green chili's.  It supposed to have a bit of a kick, so I'll use sparingly to start and then let the hubby spike his own dish.  I use frozen corn and this time I'm using a rotisserie chicken (time saver).

Serve with a side of chips and salsa, or guacamole.  It would also been fun to put inside one of those taco shells!  :)  Enjoy!