Saturday, May 2, 2009

My favorite salad

I first had this salad-or a version of it-about 5 years ago when a friend from work was getting married. Funny, my love of the salad has lasted longer than their marriage. Sad, but she is sooooo much better off without him. Off my soapbox.


It is so simple, but it is so fantastic. I made it for work on Wednesday. Unfortunately I don't have a 'finished' product photo since I was at work and you combine it right before serving and I can't have a camera at work. But being that you are all foodies, I know you can picture it in your minds!



Mandarin Orange Salad
1 large can of mandarin oranges, drained (the recipe calls for small can-but I love them!)
1 bag of mixed greens lettuce in a bag (can use a head of lettuce of your choice if you want)
1 TBSP chopped parsley-I didn't have any
slivered almonds, toasted in sugar-amount is up to you (I used about 5 TBSP)
Add in-grilled chicken breast, cut in bite size pieces
Dressing: 2 TBSP sugar
2 TBSP white vinegar
1/4 cup oil (your choice)
1/2 tsp salt
dash fresh cracked pepper
2 to 4 dashes Tabasco sauce (depends on your preference of heat)



For sugared almonds, place the almonds in a small fry pan. Cover with 1 to 2 TBSP sugar. Over medium heat, stir until sugar melts and coats almonds. Watch carefully as they will burn quickly. Pour out onto a sheet of waxed paper.




In bowl, pour in salad greens, top with orange segments, chopped up chicken and almonds. Sprinkle on parsley.



In a container that has a tight fitting lid that you can shake, add the dressing ingredients. Shake well to combine all ingredients. Pour over salad and enjoy!


Been working in the garden and cleaning our downstairs all day. Here is a little progress in the garden.




I put in the lettuce, onions and peppers today. The metal structure is a gate the Dude is making to I don't have to try and hurdle the fence. I normally just step over it, but since we made it raised and found a new type of fencing, I would probably hurt myself. He is quite talented. He and the youngest put a new cement slab today and have been working on putting a small retaining wall next to the barn so we can gussy it up with some bushes. I'm eyeing some hydrangeas (sp).



breaking up concrete to make way for new stuff (picturing her sister I am sure!)


smoothing out the concrete





Working on the retaining wall



In two weeks I will put in the rest which includes tomatoes, cukes, zucchini, peas, beans and radishes. I can hardly wait until I can use all of it's gifts on my table~

8 comments:

Wandering Coyote said...

The salad sounds amazing!

I probably won't even get my garden started before the end of the month. We have such a short season way up here on the mountain!

Bob said...

Mmmmm, orange salad. That sounds mad good.

Once again, I'm jealous of your garden. I would kill, or at least harm, for one.

tamilyn said...

Bob-you need to get a place with a little dirt! Or a deck that can handle a couple of pots with some summer goodness :)

Heather said...

i'm impressed with your garden :) and the salad sounds super yummy!!

noble pig said...

Mandarin oranges in can remind me of childhood, we always had them.

Can't wait to see the garden grow.

Leslie said...

Love the fresh summer salad.
I would love to grow an herb garden. But I am sure I would kill every live green thing I put in it!

Debbie said...

I get so excited about all of our gardens! can't wait to see how it comes along. I had a salad similar to this once, and I loved it... now I have it.

Donna-FFW said...

That looks delicious. I adore mandarin oranges, I will have to try this one. The beginnings of your garden looks terrific!