Looking for a simple and delicious lunch recipe? This Pesto Pasta Salad is perfect! It has a little of everything - pasta, chicken, sun dried tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, pine nuts and of course, basil pesto! It's delicious and filling. I am part of a weekly salad group with two of my friends - this means we each take one day a week and make salads for each other. It's a great way to connect with friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. while also having lunch made for you! We enjoy it … [Read more...]
My Favorite Tuna Salad
I've always loved tuna salad and I really love tuna melts. I often make it at home for lunch during the week. I love this recipe for tuna salad because it's so easy to make yet has a restaurant edge to it! I hope you enjoy tuna salad as much as I do. This is definitely a go-to recipe for me and my family. I also do a weekly salad group with my neighbors and I often make this for them. It's not your typical tuna salad recipe - crunchy carrots, red onion, and celery help add texture. … [Read more...]
7 Layer Salad
If you haven't heard of 7 layer salad then I'm glad you're here. This is classic recipe I have grown up with but recently started making again. 7 layer salad is layers of lettuce, vegetables, sweetened mayonnaise, cheese and bacon. It's simple to make, pretty and the perfect salad to bring to a barbecue. I can't believe I just started making this recipe again. I grew up eating 7 layer salad all the time. I think it's a midwest thing or maybe an Iowa thing, but wherever it originated, it's … [Read more...]
Favorite Dinner Salad
Looking for a delicious salad to go with your dinner? This is it! This is my favorite dinner salad - tons of fresh ingredients with a classic vinaigrette that tastes great with all types of meals - pasta, steak, or chicken. I know this recipe comes across perhaps a little too simple but I often get a lot of requests for this salad from friends. I like to serve a "heartier" salad when I have guests over - something that tastes great and is pretty. This is one of my favorite salad … [Read more...]
Chopped Salad with Sriracha Ranch
I love a good salad with a ton of healthy ingredients. It's the perfect lunch - this Chopped Salad is just that and it's dressed with Sriracha Ranch! I'm in a salad group with two of my neighbor friends. What is a salad swap group you ask? It's when you make salads for each other once a week - this is nice because twice a week (there are 3 of us) lunch is made for me! My original inspiration for this salad was an Asian inspired salad but as my friend mentioned, she didn't get much Asian … [Read more...]
Mexican Chicken Salad
A twist on chicken salad - Mexican Chicken Salad! Same great idea but different flavors. Sweet corn, red onion, cilantro, avocado, and chicken are stirred together with fresh lime juice and a little mayonnaise to make the most delicious lunch ever! This recipe received quite a few good reviews so I had to share it with you! It was inspired by an avocado chicken salad recipe I came across but didn't didn't fully execute the way I was supposed to. I didn't love the idea of mashing up … [Read more...]
The Easiest Summer Sausage and Vegetable Salad
When it comes to making a simple side dish, this recipe for Summer Sausage and Vegetable Salad comes to mind. It's quick and easy to make, tastes amazing and is so colorful! We are huge fans of quick and easy salads in our house. Because I cook and bake, we eat quite a bit at home and this includes lunch. My husband brings lunch to work every day so I often try to make salads like this Summer Sausage and Vegetable Salad that are easy to make and accessible straight from the … [Read more...]
Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad with Chicken and Bacon
Brussels Sprouts Caesar Salad with Chicken and Bacon. I don't know how else to title this other than this salad is amazing! Shaved Brussels sprouts are mixed with cubed chicken, crunchy bacon, salty parmesan cheese that all gets tossed in an asiago peppercorn dressing. Or you could use a Caesar dressing, but have you ever had Marie's Asiago Peppercorn dressing? If not, you have to try it. It's one of my favorites. I use it in my Chicken Salad with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Pasta, too. It's … [Read more...]
The Best Detox Salad
{Scroll down for recipe} The most gorgeous salad, ever! I am so in love with this Detox Salad. I can't take credit for the idea though...I was inspired by one of my local grocery stores that makes a similar salad in their deli department. Why make it at home if I can get it at the store you ask? Well...it's cheaper and I can control how long it lasts in my refrigerator. I find that deli salads are often soggy if they are not made super super fresh, like right before you purchase them. … [Read more...]
Caprese Chicken Salad
I know I know...everyone knows about caprese salad. But do you know about the balsamic dressing that goes with it??? Let's first chat about caprese salad - it's the best right? It never gets old and it's one of the more gorgeous salads out there. It's incredibly easy to make and has limited ingredients...I love when 4 ingredients come together and create a staple recipe that is undeniably good. Tomatoes are so pretty right now. I am not a huge tomato fan...I'm not popping them in my … [Read more...]
Festive Fall Farro Salad with Kale, Cranberries, Pecans & Goat Cheese
Do you need to take a break? The day after Thanksgiving can be quite overwhelming sometimes. We typically stuff our faces until we are uncomfortable. I think Vin said "I need to stop" 48 times yesterday. I however, felt perfectly full. I have no idea how that happened - perhaps the 16 month old toddler running around helped. There are usually leftovers and we typically eat them around noon the next day and do the same thing over again leaving us grouchy full, but totally satisfied. … [Read more...]
Italian Orzo Pasta Salad – Power Your Lunchbox: pledge to make healthy lunch for your kiddos!
Hello Friends! I am excited to share that I have partnered with Produce for Kids again to bring another important message to you. This time we are talking about ways to create healthy lunches for your kiddos. Yes, I know it's much easier to purchase pre-made lunches and snacks but unfortunately those are more than likely full of processed ingredients. As we all know, it's important to teach our youth to eat healthy at a young age so they learn to love foods like fresh fruits and … [Read more...]