Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Have you missed me? Oh life has been crazy busy around here lately. I've been trying to stress less about getting EVERYTHING done and so the blog has been neglected. I am sorry. I hope this makes up for it, because it is a really yummy recipe. I literally threw this together as we were sitting down for dinner today and it was a huge hit! I love poppy seed dressing and didn't realize how EASY it is to make, aside from being much cheaper than what you can buy in the store. Lucky for me I just happened to have some poppy seeds in the pantry...who knows how long they've been there! Anyway, this the perfect compliment to our homemade spaghetti sauce, which if you are lucky will be posted in the near future as well. Enjoy!

STRAWBERRY SALAD:

1 head Romaine lettuce AND/OR

Baby Spinach (I used romaine because that is what I had, but it is also really good with spinach)

1/2 lb fresh strawberries sliced (more or less depending on what you like!)

1/2 medium purple onion, sliced thin (I'm sure you could use another type if you prefer)

Mandarin oranges, canned or fresh

Slivered almonds

DRESSING:

1/2 C Mayo

2 TBLS White or Red Wine Vinegar (I used red)

1/3 C white sugar

1/4 C Milk (I actually used Almond Milk, since I'm off dairy currently...)

1 - 2 TBLS Poppy seeds

DIRECTIONS: Put the "salad" together....mix the "dressing" together. Enjoy together :)

OK, so I actually didn't think to put the oranges on this salad tonight. It was an afterthought, but I am going to try it tomorrow with some california Cutie mandarin oranges I got in my bountiful basket this week. I haven't ever tried it with fresh oranges, but used to put canned mandarin oranges on my salads all the time. It can only be better with fresh don't you think?

(Side Note...I did try it with the fresh oranges and YUM!!!)

Try this and I dare you to tell me you don't love it as much as I do! Ready...set...go!

Scones, Navajo Tacos

This is a REALLY yummy scone recipe. It's a little sweet so is great with butter and jam or honey. But it also works really well for Navajo Tacos. We usually throw on chili beans or regular canned chili, tomatoes, lettuce, olives, cheese, sour cream...whatever you like. These go together really quickly also. REMINDER: If you are trying these recipes PLEASE review them....it makes me feel like my effort is not in vain:)

Kristy

Navajo Bread:

4 C Flour

1 tsp Salt

1/2 C Sugar

2 tsp Baking Powder

2 C Milk

Mix dry ingredients, add milk. Mix until you get a good dough. (I usually have to add a little flour until it's not too sticky). Fry in hot oil.

I make smaller scones from golf ball sized balls, and just press them down quite flat as they rise in the oil. Today I also used 1 C of wheat flour and 3 Cups regular flour and that turned out well.

NOTE: One reviewer said she didn't like these so much because they were heavy. They ARE a little heavier than some scone recipes. This is a QUICK recipe without yeast, so it does turn out that way. I don't mind it. My husband on the other hand really prefers the lighter scones I make with my white bread recipe. It just depends on your preference. But if you are a hurry, these are a great option :)

Super Easy Taco Salad

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning mix
1 can beans (any kind you like: kidney, pinto, etc...)
chopped veggies (whatever you like: lettuce, cilantro, tomato, onion, olives, avocado, etc...)
sour cream
salsa
tortilla chips (plain or Dorito's)

Direction:
Brown ground beef then add taco seasoning mix according to package directions. While that cooks drain your can of beans and heat it in the microwave if you want them warm. Chop up all your veggies and shred your cheese.

At this point you can do one of two things. You can mix everything together in a big bowl, or you can leave everything out for people to make there own salad on their plate with what they want. I just leave everything out and let people add whatever they want to theirs. Start with a layer of chips, then meat and beans, then whatever else you want on it.

Enjoy! This comes together so fast and so easily and is really yummy!