Maple Apple Blueberry Salad

YUM! This salad is amazing to me. I had something like it at Zupas recently. Zupas can get pricey.... so I thought I would come up with something I could make at home! This tastes almost exactly like it. You can experiment with the dressing but I will list the one I found at our local grocery store.

1 bag romaine lettuce
1 cup blueberries
1 granny smith apple (chopped)
feta cheese
candied walnuts (recipe below)
Maple Balsamic Dressing (I used Stonewall Kitchen's)

Toss to combine! Enjoy!

Candied Walnuts:

1 c. chopped walnuts
3 T. sugar
1 1/2 T. orange juice
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 T. sugar

Bring 3 T. sugar and orange juice to simmer in frying pan. Add walnuts and cook and stir until orange juice is absorbed & mixture starts to carmelize. Combine nuts with cinnamon & 1 1/2 T. sugar in a bowl. Toss to coat. Spread nuts onto lightly greased baking sheet and bake @ 350 degrees for 5 minutes or until sugar begins to crystalize. Let cool before adding to salad.

The Sisters Cafe: Spinach Pasta Salad with Toasted Pinenuts and Feta

All I can say is YUM! All of my favorite ingredients in one dish! Enjoy.

2 c fresh spinach, chopped
1/2 lb penne pasta, cooked
1/2 cucumber, chopped
20 pitted calamata olives, halved length-wise
3/4 c feta cheese, cubed or crumbled
1 roma tomato, chopped
1/2 c pinenuts, toasted
1/2 lb bacon, cooked crisp
1/4 red onion, sliced thinly in wedges

First chop all the veggies while the pasta is boiling. Then toast the pinenuts in a pan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. (Watch them carefully to avoid burning) Slice the bacon in 1/2 inch pieces then cook until very crisp. (Slice the bacon when it is half frozen- it works great) Let pasta and bacon cool. Toss all ingredients together with Greek Vinaigrette (I used Good Seasonings Light Greek Vinaigrette) and serve immediately.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

This is a family fave. We eat it a lot at our house because it is a yummy way to get both a fruit and a veggie into the meal. Enjoy!

1 bag baby spinach
1 pint strawberries, sliced
1/2 c. sliced almonds
1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
Brianna's Blush Wine Vinaigrette Dressing (found in most grocery stores)

Toss to combine just before serving! Easy and delicious.