Friday, February 4, 2011

Spinach salad, weekend plans, and a song


I love a good spinach salad.  It's an easy side dish to throw together with whatever additions you have on hand.  I vary the nuts, fruit, and cheese, but those elements are always included.  When I make a salad, I don't use exact measurements.  I just keep adding ingredients and tasting until I think it is right.


Spinach Salad

1 orange supremed (here is a tutorial)
Juice squeezed from the membrane of the fruit
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt
Pepper
Fresh Baby spinach (washed and dried)
1 Small Shallot
1 small cucumber sliced
Dried Cranberries
Toasted Walnuts
Feta cheese

Place the orange juice in a large bowl, slowly add the olive oil and whisk until it is the consistency that you like.  Add salt and pepper. 
Add the spinach.  I like about 4-5 handfuls for this amount of dressing, if it is a large orange that is.
Add the remaining ingredients, toss and serve.
Salad tip:  If we are having friends over and I want to make a salad ahead of time.  I place the dressing in the bottom of large bowl and add all of the salad ingredients.  DO NOT TOSS.  Cover, place in the fridge.  Right before I serve the salad I toss it.  No last minute prep. Thanks to the Barefoot Contessa for the tip. 

Weekend plans:
Katie's gone for the weekend (youth group event)
Date night tonight. Brian's making a new recipe...woo hoo!
Saturday clean and hang out with Ian.
Sunday, Brunch with my Mom and sisters (Meritage)
The game and good food...Go Steelers!!!

Yesterday Brian and I shut off our computers until the kiddos went to bed. It was so nice, we need to do that more often.  I was also thinking about soaking up all these special memories that we are making with our children.  Weather they are 2 or 22.  I am going to embrace all those moments.  The texts, talking in the car, sharing our day.  All those little things I take for granted.  Here is a pretty song, sung by an angel.
Mindy Gledhill ~ Hourglass

Have a great weekend!
Rachel

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