Lemon Caesar Spinach Salad

After Easter (and binging on my kids' chocolate stashes), I am on a salad kick. Thanks to many friends and family members for forwarding me their favourites! Here is one I made tonight and it was really fantastic.

photo by powerfulgood on flickr

Lemon Caesar Salad with Baby Spinach

Dressing:
3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp. fresh orange juice
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp. Olive Oil Light Mayonnaise
2 tsp. anchovy paste (or 3 anchovy fillets, minced)
1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
Salt and Pepper
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Throw all of the above together. I let mine sit overnight so flavours could party and infuse together, but you can use right away also.


Toss with 1 lb. baby spinach, freshly sliced tomatoes, croutons and shaved bits of Parmesan cheese. I served this with whole grain flat bread toasted in the oven with olive oil and some marinated flank steak.

I hope this recipe finds you enjoying spring!

Turkey Scallopini

Have I not posted this one yet? This is something I make often. My kids really love it. A recipe that was passed on to me by Denise, it's a dinner you can whip up pretty fast. I sometimes cook ahead, then just reheat when I get home from work.

photo by simply recipes

Denise's Turkey Scallopini

1 1/2# Turkey Scallopini cutlets (usually sold at Loblaws)
1/2 cup All Purpose Flour
4 Tbsp. Olive Oil
2 garlic cloves; minced (I use pre-chopped in the jar)
1 cup chicken broth
1 1/2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp. Capers
2 Tbsp. Fresh Italian Parsley

Pat turkey dry and dredge in flour. Heat half the oil in skillet over high heat (until hot but not smoking).

Saute turkey until browned on both sides and just cooked through (about 4 min.). Transfer to a platter and keep warm, covered.  Repeat until all turkey cutlets have been browned and cooked. Set aside turkey.

Add remaining oil to the skillet and cook garlic until fragrant. Add broth and deglaze over moderately high heat, scraping up the brown bits from the pan. Boil until broth is reduced to 3/4 cup. Stir in lemon juice, capers, parsley and salt and pepper to taste.

Return turkey to skillet and heat through.

Waiting for the Trails

Bike is tuned up. Wind trainer put away. Just waiting for the snow to melt. It's been months since I've careened down the trails in the forest and I nervously await to see just how much my riding has plummeted since the evil, fluffy, white stuff fell to the forest floor.

I am excited though. Whatever this season promises to bring, my sanity is within reach. Can't wait to spin the tires and get back to feeling normal again. I'll hit the road a couple times while I practice patience. But it just isn't the same.

Melt, snow. MELT.

Trail Update: Despite the thaw around town, there is still plenty of snow on the trails. But soon, people! Soon!

April Fool's Day

Well, yesterday was a bit crazy. My daughter loves April Fool's Day better than Christmas. I think the worst part is having to forever be in "caution" mode. With every move I made throughout the day, I was insecure, hesitant and, well, scared!


In previous years, we've all been victims to eggs in our pants, saran wrap on toilet seats, garbage showering our heads, water poured from above, red milk, green milk, blue milk, aluminum foil in our beds...sadly, I could go on.

This year, Zac was more the target than me. Am I a bad mother because I was thankful it wasn't me??

Anyway, to honour Sam's day, I whipped up these refreshing drinks. I fooled her for only a moment, but she appreciated the attempt.

April Fool's Day Jell-O Juice

2 packages strawberry Jello
3/4 cup fresh raspberries
3/4 cup fresh blueberries

Prepare jell-o according to directions on package. Refrigerate until partially set, about 2 hours. Stir in berries. Pour into drink glasses and insert a straw in each. Refrigerate until set.