If I had a restaurant

I really need to get better at taking pics of the food I make.
Usually I make recipes that I got off of Pintrest or something that I have on hand...but sometimes, I just like to whip up something fun and different.
This post is not really about those things...but about Salads.

I am to the point now where I am one month away from my due date and the last thing I really want to do is to stand in the kitchen and cook. So, simple is KEY!

Andrew and I are mostly health conscience and love a good salad. I could go forever with out meat, but Andrew needs it. Lately we have had a "go to salad" and today we added another.

First of all, Let me say that it is unnecessary to purchase pre-made dressings. We love making them and they are so easy.  We use a magic bullet but you could totally use a blender or a food processor.

Salad 1. - Chicken, Pineapple, Cilantro and Pecan salad.
(the first "go-to" salad)
For the dressing - Dressing will be thick and will coat the spinach well!

• A bunch of cilantro
• a few tsp of rice vinegar
• a few tsp of olive oil
• a seeded jalapeño
• a chunk of fresh pineapple
• a few tsp of honey (optional)
• a dash of salt and pepper
• a few tsp of crushed pecans.

(This is totally to taste so I never measure anything...although I have been saying that I should for the sake of you, the reader.) I literally just add the ingredients into the bullet and blend. If it is too vinegary I add a bit more honey.

For the Salad

• Chicken Breasts - or Rotisserie chicken (Pulled)
• Fresh pineapple cut up
• Pecans
• Baby Spinach
• Salad topper - Crispy Jalapeño chips. they have a zing, but add a nice flavor.

Toss the chicken, pineapple, pecans, and spinach with the dressing. Top with the jalapeño chips.
VIOLA. It is soooo good!


Salad 2 - Balsamic Italian

For the dressing

• almost equal parts Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar - I like a little more vinegar. And a note - the better the EVOO the better the flavor. We don't buy cheap evoo in our house because we use it so much. 
• a dash of salt and pepper
• a few basil leaves
• a dash of crushed red pepper (depending on spice level)

Blend in the magic Bullet.

For the salad

• Baby Spinach
• Shredded mozzarella
• Pine Nuts
• roma tomatoes - chopped
• salami  chopped up - we just use the cheap lunch meat. 

Toss the salad ingredients with the dressing! I like to add just a pinch of Kosher salt and crushed red pepper once its on my plate!

This is the simplest salad to make. We had it with lasagna for lunch and as a main meal for dinner today. Making it for dinner took me about 4 minutes flat. We will definitely be having it again soon.


I give you these salad recipes/ideas to say that every once in a while while I am eating something that I concocted or threw together, I think.

"If I had a restaurant...I would totally serve this."

Have a great day!