Recipe #3 - Spinach Avocado Grapefruit Salad

Some of the recipes in my mom’s cookbook are made to feed a small army.  Others are adaptable for one.  This tasty salad was the perfect dinner for one on a gloomy June evening.

Again, like Leslie's Salsa, the ingredients are simple.  Hell, 3 of the 5 are already in the title.

I chose this one night because it seemed simple enough and tasty...exactly along the lines of the food I was craving (and WAY healthier than the chow mein noodles I really wanted to get).  

There isn’t a whole lot to share about this recipe since it was quite easy going.  Once I get to the Herbed Flank Steak and Chicken Curry Salad - then there will probably be more to say.

My side projects...

Last fall, I began exploring infusing my own vodkas.  Vodka infusions are really quite easy and lots of fun to test the final products.  I’ve done four successful infusions and one not so successful one.  I started two batches: Habenero and Pineapple.  Both infusions I’ve done before and both turned out super yummy.  Also on the horizon, Willamette Raspberry Vodka.

Recipe #1 - Leslie's Salsa

My parent’s met Vince and Leslie after they moved down to California in the late 70’s or early 80’s.  Both couples had no kids at the time and were both newly married.  Leslie and I share the same birthday and maybe THAT is why this salsa is my absolute favorite.

I was preparing for a BBQ at my new place and decided that this would be a perfect addition to the burgers, hot dogs, and jalapeno poppers.  

Ingredients...YUM.

The ingredients are simple and somewhat non-traditional for a salsa.  Canned olives, canned tomatoes, canned green chilies, Bernstein Italian dressing, green onions, lime juice, and S&P (salt and pepper).  Just like most any salsa - you mix these things to getter and Wha-la - you've got salsa.

The finished product.  So so delicious!

Another reason this salsa rocks my world is my family traditionally only makes it once a year - for our annual Chili Feed.  The Chili Feed is a holiday party my parents have been hosting for well over 20 years now.  My mom makes a huge amount of chili (one with meat and one vegetarian) and we eat it.  At this party - we provide the chili, the chili toppings, rolls, slaw, and chips and salsa.  I was usually in charge of making the salsa and over the years I've perfected it.

When making it this time, in the middle of June, I had this weird deja-vu like feeling that it was Christmas time.  I said aloud, "Woah.  No, Patti, it's June...you're not driving up to Seattle to go to the Chili Feed."  It was strange.

Great first recipe to make.  A huge hit at the BBQ.  Looking forward to more!