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Category Archives: salads

Roasted Cauliflower Caesar

Posted on January 5, 2026 by nina in the kitchen

This New York Times recipe is a full flavored take on cauliflower. Served warm or cold it works both ways. The cauliflower can be roasted ahead of time and served cold with the dressing and added parsley or it can be reheated and tossed with the cold additions. I prefer the warm cauliflower.

Slicing thick slabs of cauliflower was a great way to cut this up. It somewhat falls apart into uneven pieces which you can break further apart as you choose.

It’s great as a side salad or a vegetarian main dish. I’ve also made it with broccoli which is good too but the broccoli adds even more flavor to this dish.

Ingredients

1 medium cauliflower (2 pounds)

1/4 – 1/2 cup capers, drained

1/4 cup olive oil

Salt and pepper

1 lemon, zest and juice (1/4 cup or so)

1/2 cup Parmesan finely grated plus more for serving

1/4 – 1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 anchovies, drained and chopped, optional

2 cloves garlic, minced

1-2 cups whole leaf Italian parsley

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 450 degrees
  2. Remove outer leaves from cauliflower and cut into large pieces. Trim stem so the cauliflower can stand upright. Slice thick slabs, about 5, and break off flowerettes. Pieces can be small or quite large and you can cut them into bites at the table.
  3. Place all cauliflower bits and pieces on a large baking sheet. Toss with capers and olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread cauliflower evenly without overlapping to promote browning.
  4. Turn cauliflower mixture over after 15 minutes and roast another 15 minutes. Color should be lightly or medium browned. Capers will be crisped.
  5. Remove from oven and set aside. In a large bowl combine dressing ingredients: zest and juice of 1 lemon, mayonnaise, Parmesan, Dijon, garlic, anchovies, salt and pepper. I don’t add the anchovies.
  6. Just before serving scrape all of the cauliflower into the salad dressing. Toss in as much parsley as you like. I added 2 cups which is twice as much as the original recipe.
  7. Serve onto plates and add more Parmesan to each.
  8. Serves 4 as a main course or 6 as side dishes.
Roasted Cauliflower and Capers

Caesar Dressing

Christmas Dinner Salad

Voila!

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Hard Cooked Eggs

Posted on April 3, 2024 by nina in the kitchen
8 Minute Egg
Orange Center of French Style Hard Cooked Eggs

Christopher Kimball from Milk Street shared his method of hard boiling eggs which guarantee easy to peel eggs! It works perfectly! I shortened his cooking time by 40 seconds.

This shorter than usual cooking time colors the yolks orangey yellow and makes them creamy, not dry. It is the French style he learned in Paris.

Some tips to keep in mind: Check your eggs closely for cracks before you cook them! Don’t over crowd the eggs. Use a large pot filled with water. Knocking eggs together while they boil may crack them.

Ingredients

  • 6-12 large eggs
  • 1 large pot of boiling water
  • 1 large bowl of ice water with lots of ice

Instructions

  1. Choose eggs which don’t have cracks
  2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil
  3. Gently place the cold eggs in the water. Use a slotted spoon to drop them in the water
  4. Bring to a full boil. Boil for 8 minutes! No longer!
  5. With a strainer or slotted spoon remove the eggs from the boiling water and place them in ice water. Leave the eggs in the ice water 3 minutes.
  6. Remove eggs from ice water and set them aside for Easter egg coloring or peeling to eat. The shells will slip off easily and perfectly!
Orange Yellow Yolks

Voila!

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Original 3 Bean Salad

Posted on May 30, 2023 by nina in the kitchen
Canned Cut Green Beans, Wax Beans, Dark Kidney
Beans…I’ve added Cannellini Beans too!

This mid century recipe is easy because you don’t have to cook anything! Use all canned beans and slice up an onion and a green pepper. Whisk together a simple marinade and there you have it!

I’ve added the cannellini beans to make it a 4 bean salad. It’s not always easy to find yellow or wax beans. The cannellini are a good substitute if that’s the case. I also just like adding them to the 3 beans. You can also double the green beans if you don’t have the wax beans

Ingredients

  • 1 can dark kidney beans, drained and rinsed well in a colander
  • 1 can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained over kidney beans optional
  • 1 can cut green beans, drained over the kidney beans
  • 1 can cut wax or yellow beans, drained over the green beans
  • 1 small onion, peeled and slice horizontally into thin rings
  • 1 green pepper, sliced horizontally in rings, then seeds removed
  • 2/3 cup white vinegar
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper

Directions

  1. Drain and rinse the beans in layers in a colander, first the kidney and cannellini beans.
  2. Then drain the green and wax beans over the kidney (and cannelloni)
  3. In a small bowl combine marinade and whisk until dissolved and blended
  4. Place beans in a serving bowl that has a lid
  5. Layer onions and green pepper rings on top
  6. Pour marinade evenly over everything
  7. Cover and shake or invert a few times
  8. Voila!
Main Ingredients
Rinse and drain kidney beans
Add Cannellini beans and rinse and drain them too
Add green and wax beans and drain
Whisk together marinade
This salad is tossed together in a bowl. It looks even better if you fill up a glass serving bowl with the beans, then layer the rings of onion and green pepper over all. Then pour the marinade over trying to distribute evenly. Place a lid over the salad and invert it a few times to distribute the marinade

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Pineapple Slaw

Posted on September 22, 2022 by nina in the kitchen
Pineapple Cole Slaw
Pineapple could be cut up smaller than this

One of my favorite new summer salads to quickly make. And the quantities are forgiving. Add more Cole slaw if you like. Or more jalapeño!! For sure prepare it just before serving.

This is another Half Baked Harvest recipe, one of the best food bloggers out there. Tieghan serves this with Hawaiian Hula Pork Fajitas. The link to the recipes for the pork, Coconut Rice and the Pineapple Slaw is here https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/hawaiian-hula-pork-fajitas-pineapple-slaw-coconut-rice/

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1/4 cup pineapple juice
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons orange zest
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 cups shredded cabbage
  • 2/3 cup sliced green onion
  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 cups diced fresh pineapple
  • 2 jalapeños, seeded and chopped

Directions

  • In a large bowl whisk together yogurt, rice vinegar, pineapple juice, brown sugar, orange zest, salt and pepper.
  • Add cabbage, green onion, cilantro, pineapple and jalapeño
  • Toss well and cover in frig till ready to serve. Don’t let it sit more than 2 hours for best presentation and crunchiness!
I made a huge amount of the Cole slaw marinade
Vegetables added to marinade. I should have cut up pineapple in smaller pieces!
Pineapple Slaw
Every bite is delicious!

This is exactly Tieghan’s recipe except I doubled it. If you like salads saucey you can make more marinade. Omit the cilantro for those who have a sensitivity to it. Substitute parsley if you like

Thank you Half Baked Harvest!

Voila!

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Cucumbers with Sour Cream

Posted on August 17, 2022 by nina in the kitchen
Cold Cucumber Salad with Dill and Sour Cream

The secret is marinating the cucumbers and then adding the sour cream just before serving Don’t make extra to have leftover. It’s quick to make and is not as creamy and crisp the next day.

PardonYourFrench introduced me to this recipe. The herbs I use are dill and chives. I also use less sugar than she does. Any combination of fresh herbs work well.

Ingredients

  • 1 large cucumber, partially peeled and sliced in half moons
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon good quality white wine vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 small shallot, chopped fine
  • 1 tablespoon sliced chives
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon or more fresh dill, chopped
  • 1/4 cup sour cream or creme fraiche
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Directions

  1. Place sliced cucumbers in a colander and sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt over them. Toss with your hands.
  2. Cover with a plate and allow to drain in the sink 30 minutes
  3. In a small bowl stir together sugar and vinegar. Add the pepper, shallot, chives and dill.
  4. Rinse cucumbers under cold water and drain well. Wrap them in a towel to absorb the water
  5. Place cucumbers in a bowl and toss in marinade. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  6. Just before serving mix in sour cream or creme fraiche and sea salt

Voila!

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Cole Slaw with Lime Marinade

Posted on February 20, 2022 by nina in the kitchen
A spicy cole slaw with lots of jalapeño and cilantro
A very light marinade with only 1 tablespoon of oil is tossed with the veggies
Angel Hair Style Cole Slaw with Lime Marinade

This quick and easy cole slaw is light and fresh! Put it together just before serving or make it a few hours ahead. The mini peppers don’t have to be included. This recipe serves about 4-6.

Angel hair style cole slaw is a very fine cut. Traditional Cole slaw works well too!

Ingredients

  • 1-10 oz package angel hair style cole slaw
  • 1/2-1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped fine
  • 1 bunch cilantro, chopped
  • 4-6 mini sweet peppers, thin julienned, optional
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon smooth white balsamic or rice wine vinegar
  • 4-6 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar

Directions

  • In a medium bowl combine vegetables
  • In a small bowl whisk together oil, vinegar, lime juice, sugar, salt and pepper
  • Toss marinade with the vegetables
  • Voila! There you have it!

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Mediterranean Bean Salad

Posted on October 9, 2020 by nina in the kitchen
Fresh Mediterranean Bean Salad

The Original Dish is one of my favorite food bloggers. My recipe is based on her version of the traditional 3 Bean Salad. I will definitely make this again!

I substituted dried oregano for her fresh parsley, mint and basil. I also substituted black eyed peas for her chickpeas and added feta cheese and fresh tomato! My recipe here is like Village Greek Salad meets 3 Bean Salad!

This recipe has some flexibility. Try any combination of 3 varieties of canned beans. Suzy and I both agree that there are better options than canned green and yellow wax beans.

Ingredients

  • 1 15 oz can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15 oz can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15 oz can black eyed peas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 green pepper, cored and chopped
  • 1 red pepper, cored and chopped
  • 1 English cucumber, diced
  • 1 tomato, cut in large chunks, optional
  • 1 cup chopped red onion
  • 1/3 – 1/2 cup capers
  • 4-8 ounces block style feta cheese, cut into cubes, optional
  • 1/2-1 tablespoon dried oregano

Garlic–Dijon Vinaigrette

  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper

Directions

  1. In a large bowl or on a large platter place beans, peppers, cucumber, onion, capers, tomato and feta. Decide to either keep all items separate on a platter for serving or mixing them all up in a bowl.
  2. Sprinkle oregano over all
  3. In a small bowl whisk together vinaigrette ingredients till combined and thick.
  4. Pour vinaigrette over platter of beans or mix into bowl of these same ingredients. Cover and refrigerate an hour or so before serving so beans absorb the vinaigrette.
Village Greek 3 Bean Salad Ingredients Seperated
Sprinkle Salad with Oregano
Whisk Together Vinaigrette and Pour Over Salad
Omit the Feta for a More Traditional 3 Bean Salad

Thank you Suzy from The Mediterranean Dish for your inspiration!

Voila!

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Curried Chicken Salad

Posted on June 2, 2019 by nina in the kitchen

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This salad can be presented in many forms. Add things like grapes, walnuts, pecans, dried cherries or celery slices. Add pasta or cooked rice, spread it on bread as a sandwich or on crackers or Naan. Or just make the dressing and dip in fresh veggies!

Poaching the chicken is the first step

  • Place 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, in a large cooking pot of boiling water with 1 quartered onion, 1 bay leaf and several black peppercorns.
  • Once it’s boiling again turn the heat off and cover. Or place on an extremely low flame. The remaining heat of an electric cooktop works well
  • Using an instant read thermometer check the temperature in the thickest part of the breast after 10 minutes. Once each piece reaches 155 F remove it from the water and cool. It’s temperature will rise to 165 F as it rests on a platter or in a colander.
  • When cool either shred the chicken or cut into bite size cubes. Your choice. I prefer shredded!!

Dressing Ingredients

In a large bowl mix together:

1/2 cup light Hellman’s mayonnaise

1/4 cup plain yogurt

1/4 cup sour cream

1/4 teaspoon turmeric

1 tablespoon Madras style curry powder

2 teaspoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 teaspoons lemon juice

Add chicken to dressing. Serve cold

This curry dressing is the same recipe as the curry dip we made at Strongbow’s Turkey Inn which was located in Valparaiso Indiana. Serve as a dressing or dip for fresh veggies like we did at Strongbow’s!

Voila! I hope you enjoy this as we have!

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Puréed Corn with Cherry Tomatoes and Concord Grapes

Posted on September 9, 2018 by nina in the kitchen

This recipe was inspired by a photo on Instagram. It’s a bed of puréed corn that is warmed and topped with colorful cherry tomatoes and seedless Concord grapes. The original picture idea had melon balls but I could not pass up these seedless Concord grapes! Serves 8

Ingredients

6 ears fresh sweet corn

3 tablespoons melted butter

1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flakes

1 pint colorful cherry tomatoes

1/2 pint seedless Concord grapes or other fruit or vegetable of your choice

Extra virgin olive oil to drizzle

Aged thick balsamic vinegar

Flaked sea salt

Procedure:

  • Bring a large cooking pot of water to a boil
  • Add the corn and cover
  • Bring to a boil
  • Turn off heat and let sit 10 minutes
  • Drain and cool
  • Using a sharp knife cut the corn off the cob
  • Place corn in a food processor
  • Purée
  • Add melted butter and pepper flakes
  • Purée until completely smooth
  • Season with salt and pepper
  • Serve warm. Reheat if you make this ahead and refrigerate before serving

Assemble the salads:

  • Arrange about 1/2 cup of corn on the plate. Make a shape or smear it around. Think of it as painting on a plate
  • Top with an arrangement of sliced or halved tomatoes and whole grapes
  • Drizzle with a tiny bit of olive oil and balsamic vinegar
  • Sprinkle with flaked sea salt

Voila!

Corn is cut off the cob and placed in a food processor

Melted butter and hot red pepper flakes are added

Purée again and season with salt and pepper if desired. I don’t think it needs salt

The corn mix is puréed to a very smooth consistency and arranged on serving plates with colorful tomatoes and grapes.

When I find the pineapple tomatillo I will add that for a sweet taste. It should be ripening in September in Michigan.

I really want to grow them in my garden. The paper like husk is beautiful and a nice addition to food presentation

The dressing is not really needed but just a few drops finishes it off. You can apply the oil and vinegar artfully to look like abstract strokes or drops of a modern painting

Below is the original photo which inspired me. TheJamLab was out to dinner here

Enjoy!

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Colorful Slaw with Apple Cider Vinaigrette 

Posted on June 25, 2017 by nina in the kitchen


Purple, green, red, orange, and white make a colorful alternative to the typical white cole slaw! The Whole30 Cookbook is my source!  I used an organic apple cider from Aldi’s that has the “Mother” in it. It’s a milder flavor.

I added more red pepper, carrot, apple and almonds here than the Whole30 recipe described. 

Here is the colorful display. All the kale needed is not pictured here


Lacinato kale is a traditional Italian variety


For the slaw:

1/2 head red cabbage, sliced thin and cut in 2 inch lengths 

1/2 bunch lacinato kale, stems removed, leaves sliced in thin ribbons

1 bell pepper, seeded, ribs removed, thinly sliced

1 cup shredded or matchstick sliced carrot 

1 large apple, julienned

1-4 oz package or 1/2 cup slivered almonds

For the Vinaigrette:

3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar 

2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley

1 large clove garlic, minced with 1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

  • In a large bowl combine ingredients for the slaw
  • In a small bowl or jar whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients.
  • Pour the vinaigrette over the vegetables and toss well
  • Add more salt, pepper or vinegar to your taste!
  • Serve right away. The slaw keeps in the frig a couple days
  • Voila!

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