Farro Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Red Onion, and Goat Cheese

Ingredients:

1 large sweet potato, unpeeled and sliced into 1/2 - inch thick rounds, large rounds halved

1 red onion, cut into 1/2 - inch wedges

4 TBS olive oil, divided

salt and pepper

3/4 cup dried farro (or Israeli couscous)

2 TBS red wine vinegar

3 radishes, thinly sliced on mandolin

1 small handful of dill, roughly chopped

2 TBS salted pistachios, roasted and roughly chopped

2-3 oz goat cheese, broken into bite-size pieces

1/2 lemon, juiced

pinch of smoked paprika, for serving

flakey sea salt, for serving

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 425º F.

Spread sweet potato rounds and onion wedges on baking sheet, drizzle with 3 TBS olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast, shaking the baking sheet 1/2 way through, until the sweet potatoes are golden brown and tender, 15-20 minutes. Let cool slightly.

Cook farro according to the package directions. Drain.

In a medium bowl, season the warm farro with vinegar, remaining 1 TBS oil, salt and pepper. Add sweet potato, onion, radishes, dill, pistachios, and goat cheese. To finish, drizzle the salad with the lemon juice and sprinkle with smoked paprika, flakey sea salt, and pepper. If the dish seems a little dry, drizzle it with extra oil.

Notes:

I always use couscous, but I'm sure farro is delicious. Also, I usually omit the paprika out of laziness and it's still delicious. 

Source:  Epicurious

Coleslaw

Ingredients:

(About)
1 cup Mayonnaise
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
bag of slaw
grated red apples
poppy seeds

Directions:

Thrown together by taste.

Source: Jaylyn Allen

Sweet Potato Souffle

Ingredients:

3 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
3/4 cup white sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 1/3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk

Topping:

1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup melted butter
Directions:

Preheat oven to 350º. Combine the mashed sweet potatoes with the white sugar, softened butter, beaten eggs, vanilla and milk. Spoon into a 2-quart oven proof baking dish. Combine the flour, brown sugar, chopped pecans and melted butter. Sprinkle over the top of the sweet potatoes. Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Source: Allrecipes

Mom's Christmas Salad

Ingredients:
1 cup chopped pecans
6 TBS balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 tsp sesame oil
2 avocados
3 quarts bite size pieces, rinsed, romaine lettuce
2 cups thinly sliced mushrooms
1 cup thinly sliced red onion
1 can sliced black olives, drained
1/2 lb feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup slivered fresh basil leaves
salt & pepper

Directions:
In a frying pan over medium high heat, stir or shake pecans frequently until toasted, about 3 minutes. Pour into a large bowl; add vinegar, olive oil, and sesame oil. Pit and peel avocados; cut into 1/2 inch chunks and add to bowl. Add lettuce, mushrooms, red onion, olives, cheese and basil. Mix and add salt and pepper to taste.

Source: Mom

Aloha Mango Chicken Salad with Creamy Mango Passion Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

Salad:

1 head romain lettuce
1 mango, diced
1/3 cup gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
1 red pepper, diced
1/4 red onion, diced
4 chicken breasts, cooked, diced
1 cup tortilla strips

Creamy Mango-Passion Vinaigrette:

2 TBS Dijon mustard
1/2 mango, cut into bite size pieces
1/2 lime, juice only
2 TBS rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 garlic clove

1 tsp chili paste or chili garlic sauce

3 tsp honey

1/4 cup olive oil

Salt and Pepper, to taste

Directions: For the salad, combine the first 6 ingredients in a large bowl. For the dressing, combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Toss dressing with salad. Top with tortillas. Serve immediately. 

Layered Spinach Salad

Ingredients:

Spinach
Bacon, cooked and chopped
Sliced almonds
Poppy seed dressing (one with the peach on it)
Feta cheese, crumbled
Hard boiled eggs, crumbled
Apples, sliced
Optional, marinated cooked cubed chicken

Directions: Layer ingredients in a large bowl. Serve immediately, or leave out dressing until ready to serve.

Notes: Martha Stewart has fail proof boiled egg directions here. I prefer Whole Foods ingredients in this salad. I've had it both ways, and there is a HUGE difference. If anything, at least get the spinach from there!!! I omit the chicken because I usually don't eat this as the main course.

Source: Mom

Green Bean and Artichoke Casserole

Celtic Sea Salt

Pepper

1 lb green beans, cut and steamed

4 tbs. butter

3 tbs. whole wheat flour

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 cups raw milk

1 jar (14 oz) artichoke hearts

Cayenne Pepper

6 slices homemade bread (we used 2)

Preheat oven to 425. In a large saucepan heat butter until barely melted and pour half of it in a bowl and set aside. Add garlic and flour to the saucepan and cook for 1 minute, don't let it brown. Gradually add milk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until it thickens, about 3 minutes. Stir in green beans and artichoke hearts and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Season with salt and pepper. Pour into a 2 quart baking dish.

Toss bread crumbs in bowl with butter and put on top of casserole. Bake 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Source: Martha Stewart