Bell Pepper Saute

This dish intrigued me when I first saw it in Everyday Food magazine a few years ago. I gave it a try, and it passed the "keeper" test, especially when I added fresh basil. At dinner this week Abby begged for second and third helpings, but then again, she has always loved red peppers. You can print the original recipe here.

Bell Pepper Saute

2 bell peppers, red, yellow, or both (I used 4 peppers--red, yellow, and orange.)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 small red onion, diced (I sliced rather than diced.)
Coarse salt and ground pepper

Remove seeds and ribs from peppers; cut lengthwise into strips and halve crosswise.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add bell peppers and onion; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until peppers are just tender, about 10 minutes.

Serves 4.

Julie's Notes: Add fresh chopped herbs such as basil, dill, or parsley just before serving.

Green Bean, Walnut, & Feta Salad

This delicious green bean salad is packed with flavor. I always substitute pecans for the walnuts because I like to think that I am a southern girl at heart. I don't have the original source for this recipe, but I did preserve the fact that it is in 1996 Recipe Hall of Fame.

Green Bean, Walnut, & Feta Salad

2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed

1 small purple onion, thinly sliced

1 (4-ounce) package crumbled feta cheese

1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted

3/4 cup olive oil (I use 1/2 cup.)

1/4 cup white wine vinegar

1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Cut green beans into thirds, and arrange in a steamer basket over boiling water, Cover and steam 15 minutes or until crisp-tender. Immediately plunge into cold water to stop the cooking process; drain and pat dry.

Toss together green beans, onion, cheese, and walnuts in a large bowl. Cover and chill 1 hour.

Whisk together olive oil and next 5 ingredients; cover and chill 1 hour.

Pour vinaigrette over green bean mixture, and chill 1 hour; toss just before serving.

Yield: 8 servings

Julie's Notes: I reduce the amount of oil in the vinaigrette. Also, I never seem to have enough prep time to chill the vegetables and dressing separately for an hour first, so I simply toss them all together and chill before serving.

Broccoli 'N' Cauliflower Salad

This is one of my very favorite salads. It was originally published in Southern Living Magazine (contributed by Carolyn Gower of Columbia, South Carolina.)

Broccoli 'N' Cauliflower Salad

1 small head cauliflower, broken into florets
1 pound broccoli, broken into florets
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 small purple onion, sliced and separated into rings
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 cup vegetable oil (I use canola.)
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 cup sugar (I use 1/4 cup or less.)
1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
2 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. salt
lettuce leaves (optional)

Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; set aside. Combine oil and next 5 ingredients, stir well, and pour over vegetables. Toss gently to coat; cover and chill 3 hours, stirring occasionally.  Serve with a slotted spoon over lettuce, if desired.

Yield: 8 to 10 servings.

Julie's Notes: I use less sugar than the recipe calls for (1/4 cup or less) and less oil (3/4 cup.)

Lori's Spinach Salad

We call this Lori's spinach salad because she is the one who introduced it to us at a family gathering years ago. It is great for a crowd and has become our salad of choice for birthdays, Easter, Thanksgiving, and many meals in between. Abby calls it "the special salad."

Spinach Salad

Salad
1 bunch fresh spinach, torn in bite-size pieces
1 small head lettuce, torn in bite-size pieces
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 lb. sliced mushrooms
3/4 lb. grated Monterey jack cheese
3/4 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 c. rinsed cottage cheese

Dressing
3/4 tsp. onion salt
1/3 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. ground mustard
3 T poppy seeds
3/4 c. canola oil
1/3 c. white vinegar

Dressing should be made several hours in advance. Just before serving, toss the salad and dressing.

Julie's notes: My dad always asked me to substitute feta cheese for the cottage cheese. It's great either way.

Broccoli Salad

Broccoli is a vegetable staple in my home all year round. It keeps well in the fridge, it's packed with nutrients, and everyone likes it. Fresh trumps cooked most days.

Broccoli Salad

4 cups chopped fresh broccoli
1 medium-sized purple onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
2 T capers, drained
Dressing
1/4 cup pecans, toasted (optional)

TOSS together first 5 ingredients. Cover and chill 30 minutes. Sprinkle with pecans before serving, if desired. Yield: about 5 cups

Dressing:
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 T sugar
1/2 T salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

WHISK together all ingredients. Yield: about 2/3 cup.

Julie's Notes: I wish I knew the source for this salad, but I don't. I've been making it for a few years and can't recall where I acquired it.