Grand America Salad

I had this salad at an event at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah.  I've had salads similar to this, but the roasted grapes and toasted nuts and coconut took it to an extra tasty level--do it if you have the time!

Image Credit Here

Salad Ingredients:

butter leaf lettuce
walnuts or pecans, toasted
shaved coconut, toasted
grapes, roasted (if desired)
radishes, sliced
gorgonzola cheese

Creamy Balsamic Dressing

-This dressing doesn't actually have mayonnaise, but when you blend it in a blender to emulsify the oil and vinegar it takes on a beautiful creamy look!

1/2 c. light olive oil

1/4 c. balsamic vinegar

1/4 c. honey

1 clove garlic

1 TBS dijon mustard

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp salt

-Blend all ingredients in a blender on high for 2 minutes until emulsified (keeps dressing from separating).  

Tilapia Fish Tacos with Mango Peach Salsa

I had never had a fish taco until about three years ago.  To many that may be crazy!  It always sounded a bit weird to me, but I finally made the plunge...and now it is a family favorite!  We especially like this in the summer, but anytime is good.  Trader Joes is a great place to get your tortillas, breaded, tilapia, sprouts, chili lime seasoning, and peach/mango salsa!

Image from here.

Breaded Tilapia (bake according to box directions and cut into strips)
Flour or corn tortillas
sliced avocado
Trader Joes Peach/Mango Salsa (or another favorite brand or a fresh salsa works great too)
sliced radishes
sprouts
Cabbage Slaw (see recipe below)
*jalapenos optional
*limes for serving
*Chili Lime seasoning from Trader Joes for extra flavor/kick

Cabbage Slaw 16 oz:
red/green cabbage
shredded carrots
Coleslaw Dressing:
1/2 c. sour cream
3 TBS honey
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c. fresh cilantro, chopped
-Note the coleslaw will seem very dry.  The longer it sits in the dressing, the more it will soften.

The BEST Cobb Salad

I always associated Cobb salad with ranch dressing and Cheddar cheese until I read an article in the Wall Street Journal .  The article highlighted the Brown Derby Restaurant which I knew about from watching I Love Lucy growing up.  Love that show!  Anyway I made the Cobb salad recipe highlighted in the article.  It was delicious.  I actually prefer the dressing recipe slightly better that comes from Cooks Illustrated. 

So Cobb Salad with a Dijon vinaigrette and blue cheese is mighty might tasty.  Give it a try! 

Spinach Salad with Pomegranate Dressing

This is a salad I've created after eating many similar salads at restaurants. You can use any sort of sweet berry-like dressing, or you can try my dressing recipe below. You'll find I tend to make my own salad dressings. They are so easy and you don't have extra preservatives...

Spinach (can use other lettuces too)
craisins or fresh pomegranate seeds
diced apple or firm pears or apples
crumbled blue cheese (can use feta, but I prefer blue cheese for this)
sliced radishes (optional)
sugared or toasted pecans (every salad needs a crunch!)

Pomegranate Dressing:
1/4 c. pomegranate balsamic vinegar
1/3 c. light olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
14 grinds fresh pepper
1 TBS white sugar

-Note: Cuisine Perel sells many different kinds of specialty vinegars. It is a bit expensive, but you can make a lot of dressing from one bottle (and I think it's worth it!).