Suzee's Sweet and Salty Broccoli Salad

I went to the store to get some crudite for the game. I was feeling low on veggies, and I thought that would fit the bill. I walked to D'Agastino's and was absolutely disgusted by the offerings. Every colored pepper was shriveled (and $7.99/lb), and the celery was brown with rot (and $3.99/lb). Heavy Sigh... I moved to the bagged salads - the delicate lettuces were also rotting, despite the fact the use by date was 6 days in the future.

Then I saw the last bag of broccoli slaw, and it was in good shape! OK - I can work with this. Here is what I did:


1 12 oz package of broccoli slaw shreds
1 crisp red apple
a big handful of grapes (a heavy cup)

1/2 cup olive oil mayonaise
1/3 cup (or so) apple cider vinegar
2 packets of splenda (or a few spoons of sugar)

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 T salty sunflower seeds

In a big bowl, dump the package of broccoli slaw in.
Chop the apple in julienne slices, and add to the bowl.
Cut the grapes in quarters, and add to the bowl.

In a small bowl, add the mayo, vinegar and sweetener. Mix with a fork or whisk. Initially it will look lumpy or perhaps curdled, but keep stirring - it will become smooth. Add this dressing to the broccoli mixture. Season with salt and pepper, and toss the salad well. It will seem  like there is not enough dressing, but keep tossing, and it will be enough to coat everything lightly.

Serve on 4 plates, and sprinkle 1T of sunflower seeds on each serving.

Enjoy!

Tastemakers for Nature's Pride

The other day Rick and I came home from playing in the city, and a big brown box was sitting at the door. "What did I get you?" he asked. I replied "Hmmm...really not sure. Oh, it's from Foodbuzz. See you didn't have to pay a thing!"

I opened the box and found 2 loaves of Nature's Pride bread - one Honey Wheat and the other was Oatmeal. A carb conscious girl, the first thing I did was to look at the nutritional information. I just won't buy any pre-sliced bread that is more than 70 calories and that doesn't have at least 2 grams of fiber. Unless I am considering it a replacement for chocolate cake. So both loaves have 90 calories per slice. The honey wheat has "added fiber" (so they tossed some extra not naturally occurring stuff in to make it look good), and a total of 2 grams of fiber per slice. The oatmeal was only 1 gram of fiber per slice. So, without this program I would have never, ever purchased this bread.

We've now tried both flavors. They are both nice in texture, and not too heavy. The honey wheat has a light sweet flavor - I'm not sure I've ever purchased a honey sandwich bread before, but it was almost as sweet as a portuguese sweet white bread. The Oatmeal was decidedly sweet, half way between bread and dessert.

I'm sorry that I can't recommend this bread on any level, as Nature's Pride does work closely with Foodbuzz, and I do appreciate that. But I'm sure they can do better.

My favorite bread now is the Vermont Bread Company Soft Whole Wheat Bread. With 70 calories/slice, 3 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protien, it's a good one to try. I keep buying it because I like the flavor too!

My Favorite New Gadget!

In my very small kitchen, I have to find space where ever I can. And that damn salad spinner was taking A LOT of space! I did use it very frequently. Here in the city I can get really good looking herbs, so I use them a lot. After a nice bath, I'd spin them up for use in some experiment.

I think it was Jamie Oliver in his Cooking At Home series where I realized, hey! I can spin them in a clean kitchen towel! And that takes so much less space! That means I can add 2 martini glasses to my cabinet's easy to reach storage! Woo!

Just place the herbs/lettuce/greens in the center, draw up the 4 corners, and hold on to those corners while you whip that towel around like a Solid Gold Dancer! The centrifugal force spreads the clean water all around the kitchen (which surprisingly doesn't bother me as it isn't much), and any remaining dirt stays in the bottom of the towel. The herbs lift out, gorgeous and ready for consumption.

I'm always looking for more space saving ideas - what do you do to limit your kitchen clutter?

Love Loss and What I Wore

You know that amazing outfit you had your senior year in high school? The one that made the guy you liked smile a little wider, and perhaps pause a little longer?

That's what this show is about.

Clothes that we loved, what was happening when we wore them, and how we moved on.

Love, Loss and What I Wore is really hillarious - I got tickets from my favorite purveyer, sat in my seat with a full house, and laughed, and laughted, and cried, and laughed and laughed.

Get some girls together and go see this one - you will have quite a conversation after, and leave with a smile :)

Jen and MJ visit NYC!

Jen and MJ planned a whirl wind trip to NYC for their 22nd wedding anniversary, and their 2 youngest luckily got to join as well. The only unfortunate part (well besides MJ being drenched in 3 belini's) was that it was a short visit. I met the clan outside Macy's and well all walked a few blocks to Legend's outside the Empire State Building.

We chatted and ate, and ate and chatted. Noah and MJ enjoyed 3 TVs worth of sports, with the occasional joke to share with the table. Jen, Molly and I talked fashion, college and girl talk, along with possible tentative plans to make another trip for Molly's 16th birthday in a little over a year.

Jen reminded me I hadn't seen her in over 6 years :( I sure hope the next visit doesn't take that long because this was a fun one :)

Suzee's Roasted Coleslaw

You all know my desire for quick and painless weeknight meals, and in my opinion, a meal doesn't count unless veggies are included. This is one of our favorite sides. Easy to make, and cabbage has a nice full life in the fridge :) This dish will surprise you with it's fresh sweet taste - be sure to try these ribbons of love!

Ingredients:

1/2 head of green cabbage

1 large sweet onion

1.5T olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Heat the oven - this dish is so forgiving you can do it on many heats, just change the timing.

If at 450, roast for 15 minutes

If at 400, roast for 25 minutes

If at 350, roast for 45 minutes

Core and slice the cabbage in to strips, separating them in to ribbons

Peel and thinly slice the onion from root to tip so they also resemble ribbons.

Roll the cabbage and onions on a sheet pan in the olive oil. Top with salt and pepper.

You don't have to line with foil, but I do to limit clean up needed.

Once you taste this side dish, you will appreciate the beauty of this photo! Enjoy!

Suzee's Cheesy Chicken Casserole

I was looking for a chicken casserole to make today. Rick's always up for the chicken and rice, but I wanted something different. I was cruising around the web looking for something, and found nothing, so started cruising around my fridge.

I'd bought some of that Kraft melty cheese shreds, and they have a recipe for macaroni and cheese on the back. Hmmm....I could beef that up. Or chicken it up! (hehehe - couldn't help it!)

Here it is:

3 Boneless, Skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
3 cups melting cheese, 4 cheese blend
1 cup milk
1 sweet onion
1 10oz package frozen spinach
2 cups dried pasta - a small shape which will still catch the sauce like Lumachine or small shells.
1/2 t onion powder
1/2 t garlic powder
1/4c white wine
1T butter

Heat water to boiling for the pasta.

Heat the butter in a pan, and chop the onion in a med dice. Add the onion to the pan, and sautee.

Heat the spinach in the microwave until defrosted. Squeeze out the water.

Cut the chicken in to bite sized pieces and brown. Remove the chicken, and deglaze the pan with the wine. Reduce the liquid to half.

Add the onion, spinach, chicken, milk, wine mixture, and spices to a bowl.

Add the pasta to the boiling water, and cook to package instructions. Drain and add to the bowl.

Add the cheese to the bowl, and mix all well until cheese melts.

Serve or move the mixture to a casserole. To reheat cover with foil and pop in the oven at 325 for 20 min or so.

I really liked this casserole (cheese? hello?) Hope you do too!