Orange salad

My Orange Salad

i tried this super easy orange salad. inspired by ( Rachel Ray's) 

Salad Bowl On Ice with Dome (Google Affiliate Ad) 

 

Hot and Sweet Orange Salad

my take using what was on hand in my kitchen...

ingredients:

1-2 medium size oranges
1 medium red onion
fresh mint
lime zest (optional)

i sliced the onion. i realized afterwards i should have sliced them julianne so i did dice them smaller after the picture was taken.
then peeled oranges and sliced like pinwheels not long segments
combined them in a large salad bowl
drizzled with a little olive oil and sprinkled with parmesan cheese
topped with mint and olives
(this recipe courtesy of Rachel Ray)

my variation  (added):
fresh mint (from my garden)
black olives
lime zest
and served with a few pepperoncini over mixed iceberg and butter lettuce
it was very good. different. be aware the onions can a bit overpowering especially after the salad sits (marinates awhile) you may want to use more sparingly they are very strong, a little goes a long way.
i want to make this again and use feta cheese

so for a quick easy dish on the fly this is a definite winner.  next time i'll get all the ingredients for Rachel's recipe and make with fewer deviations. however, i like that i can put my own spin on most of her dishes.  in fact she encourages and often gives suggestions to do just that.

what a fantastic way to enjoy oranges anytime really.

"Orange Peeler with Clamp" (Google Affiliate Ad)

pears nutrient rich

from mom’s pear tree

Pears are nutrient-dense and an excellent source of fiber! One medium pear provides 6 grams of fiber, or about 24% of your daily needs, which can help you feel satisfied longer between meals and snacks! According to the DGA, the average American adult should consume approximately 2 cups of fruit daily (based on a reference 2000 calorie diet).

 One medium-sized pear supplies ½ of your daily fruit needs!

A medium sized pear (about 166 grams) is a nutrient-dense food that contains only 100 calories, and is fat free. A nutrient-dense food is any food that provides vital nutrients (such as vitamins and minerals), but relatively few calories. Nutrient-dense foods are also usually higher in fiber and water, components that tend to make us feel full faster and for longer.
read more: pear facts + nutrition

i’ve got big plans for pears this year. pear jam. preserve. liqueur infused. simple syrup maybe even a pie or torte.

O' Pear

from my DeviantArt Gallery

rice. pasta. grains

i’ve been crushing on some new grains.

black rice

i like to mix this rice with other grains. it has to cook for 45 minutes like most brown rice and can be a bit tough in texture is not cooked properly. 

basmati rice

love this stuff. i can  and do eat it plain. it has such a pleasing subtle distinctive taste that some describe as nutty.
While basmati rice originated in India and Pakistan, it is grown in the United States as well and is becoming widely available. Basmati rice can come in both brown (unprocessed) and white (processed) forms. Unprocessed brown basmati rice retains more nutrients than the processed white form.
Each serving of basmati rice contains 35 g of carbohydrates. For white basmati rice, fiber content is typically less than 1 g. Fiber content of brown basmati rice is higher. Both types of rice contain little to no sugar.

Protein/Fat

Basmati rice is naturally low-fat, containing less than 1 g per serving. Each 3/4 of a cup serving contains 3 g of protein.
Vitamins
Basmati rice is a moderately good source of thiamine (13 percent of daily value) and niacin (8 percent of daily value). These B vitamins play a crucial role in energy metabolism.
Minerals
In addition to containing important B vitamins, each serving of basmati rice contains a small amount of iron (6 percent of daily value). Iron helps transport oxygen through the blood.
Read more: nutritional facts at  livestrong.com

quinoa

love the crunch of quinoa. i like it hot cold plain or loaded with herbs, meats and other seasonings.  it’s an added bonus that it a “super” food.  there are loads of recipes  on the web and since it’s so easy to cook and mixes well with anything you will come up with your very own in no time.

foodies

just what the heck is a foodie?
 
foodies are amateur hobbyists (wanna be chefs + critics) that love food + want to learn everything they can about the science + consumption + preparation, of both the best + the ordinary in the industry + superstar food personalities  

guess that makes me a foodie + it's partly their fault:

The Chew – ABC TV show with five fabulous host + cooks + guest + great format + variety + the chemistry +  each hosts’ personality is simply outstanding.  I want to hang out with them. This is my “new fav” show. 

The Splendid Table – NPR, Sunday radio program hosted by Lynne Rossetto Kasper, acclaimed food writer + cooking teacher. She gives great tips + reviews + recipes. 

Rachel Ray – CBS TV show host + cook + lifestyle guru + adorably beautiful 



Cooking brings me joy + comfort + creativity
yep, am a foodie + proud of it + I got pictures to prove it