Back by Popular Request...

You request and I shall fulfill. I have a great salad and salad dressing to go with said Strawberry Pasta. I bring this salad to many o parties too.

If I may be a salad snob for a moment, I rarely buy bottled dressings I really do prefer to make them. Eh gads have you read what's in most bottled dressings!!!! Many of them have the what I call "evil stuff" high fructose corn syrup, I try very hard not to have that in any foods that my family but that is a personal choice but I am kinda freaky that way!

Ok now I am off my soap box, for now, on to the "salad of heaven".
Strawberry Avocado Salad
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup raspberry vinegar
1 1/2 Tbl sugar
1/4 tsp. hot sauce
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp/ pepper
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 head romaine, torn into bite-size pieces
1/2 (11 0z) can mandarin oranges, drained ( I have used the whole can because that's how I roll)
1 cup strawberries, stemmed and quartered
1/2 cup sliced read onion (I forget this a lot)
1/4 cup coarsely chopped toasted pecans (yes you do need to toast them)
1/2 avocado, sliced (I use the whole thing b/c really when you love avocado like do, who the hell can leave a half of avocado on the counter)

Combine the olive oil, vinegar, sugar, hot sauce, salt, pepper and cinnamon in a jar. Shake well and refrigerate for 2 hours. Combine the romaine, oranges, strawberries, onion, pecans, and avocado in a large bowl. Top w/half the dressing; toss well. Serve w/the remaining dressing on the side.

Hope you enjoy it,
k-

Lessons Learned Today

So it's the usual "when life gives you lemons you make lemon aid" right? So when a lovely friend gives me a 4lb box of strawberries I make Strawberry Pasta!!! Yes PASTA, don't be scared try it you sissy!

Strawberry Pasta
1 pint fresh strawberries
1/2 pound spaghetti
1/4 cu grated pecorino or parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup heavy cream
mint sprigs for garnish

Puree the strawberries in a blender. Strain to remove seeds ( I never strain as I have a life). Cook the spaghetti using the package direction; drain and toss with the cheese. Heat the butter and cream in a small saucepan. Move the pasta to a serving bowl, cover with strawberries, and then the butter sauce. Toss well. Serve with additional cheese and garnish with mint, is desired.

I know what I am having for dinner tonight, how about you?

-k