Avocado, Arugula, and Grapefruit Salad

A whirlwind of activities have been going on in these here parts of Santa Cruz. New schools, new schedules, new hobbies, and new milestones. Due to all this "newness" there has also been lot of craziness and not a lot of down time. Cue the dialogue; "What do you want to do for dinner?" Matt, "I don't know, we don't have any food." Me, "Lets just have popcorn again and watch Season Four of Breaking Bad on Netflix." Matt, "Sounds like a nice night to me." So, as you can tell easy dinners or lunch ideas are all up in this house... and this salad is right on it! Simple, fresh and flavorful. Have it for a light dinner and you can totally shove a bowl of popcorn in your face, while watching Breaking Bad...Yo.

Let's get this simple salad started. Arugula, grapefruit and radishes add a bold amount of pepper, while the avocado mellows out the flavors to bring a sweet creamy bite.

Makes sure to section off the grapefruit to remove the bitter membrane.

Radishes sliced paper thin. You could use a mandolin or a sharp knife. Just be careful.

Peppery, with sweetness from the grapefruit and olive oil dressing along with the large chucks of avocado. You could make this ahead of time and then assemble and serve chilled. A new addition to our salad family. Now back for another bowl of popcorn.

Basil Infused Olive Oil

Summer is full of surprises. Someone I know is actually attempting to use the potty...YES, that is happening around here. It can also be full of an abundance. Tons of fruits and veggies have been filling up our home, so I am attempting at trying to use them up. It always pains me to throw away spoiled food. Having extra basil on hand, I was inspired by Tracy to infuse some basil into olive oil. Let's just say you could put this just about anything. I promise, I will not tell if you decide you need an basil olive oil facial. 

 Lets get this going. Olive oil, basil, and garlic ready for some chopping. 

I chopped the basil and smashed the garlic cloves to attempt to keep the garlic flavor more on the mild side.

All into a saucepan to cook for a bit and then steep for a while. The longer it sets the stronger the basil flavor.

Black Bean Salad with Mango, Citrus and Jicama

I have a sweet spot in my heart for Mexican food. Anything in the form of a taco or with salsa will always make me happy. This salad is more of merge of all things black bean and jicama with a lovely citrus dressing, smokey and salty along with some fresh basil. It was perfect paired with some grilled chicken or fish kabobs. A nice family meal with a good friend. Perfect weather for something spicy. 

Ingredients all ready to go. I did not have canned chipole chilies, but used dried smoked paprika and some red pepper flakes. Not as perfect, but got the job done. 

Mangos be slicing!

Citrus, chilies, limes I could put this on anything and be happy.

Red Pepper Salad

Hot damn.... who knew that peppers, some onions and feta could meet, mingle and make the most fresh lovely salad for the summer..... Summer love??

They really wanted to hang out and get acquainted... and low and behold they did. Here they are with their tops off!

This salad combines all of my favorite veggies with a bit of salty feta for some flare. (Who does not love salty flare... Come on...who???)

It is crunchy, sweet, salty, and can I say it??...can I??...good for you!!!

Spinach salad with garlic yogurt dressing... it is zesty

Lately the oven has been off... I have been cranky... and... the idea of turning on the oven and making the house hot as hell does not knock my socks off. However, this salad is something I made the other night for dinner and wow!!! It will not only knock your socks off it might just knock you right down to the  floor. Granted, my dressing had a powerful punch, but I think I added too much garlic. It is a good thing I am not single.

A while back I bought this cookbook after hearing the author in the radio. I know what you are thinking... yes... I listen to talk radio...

The salads and side dishes in the book are wonderful. Think mix and match dressings and one plate meals. The ideas are endless. Since I had an abundance of dill from last weekend I thought I would use some in this simple salad and in the (knock you on your ass) lemon garlic dressing. 

BBQ with family

No baking this weekend.  No flour or brown sugar. No mixers or butter. This weekend was more of a feast of fresh local ingredients that were screaming summer time. My sister and brother- in- law came to visit from out of town, and to celebrate and we were able to create some gosh darn good grub. A sunny peach bruschetta, BBQ Tri tip, grilled corn, and fresh bean and tomato salad.

Warm weather, wine and the ones you love. Who could ask for anything more.