Lentil Salad- Perfect Picnic Food

This Lentil Salad has become my "go to" salad this barbeque season! Not only is it tasty, but easy to make, and improves the longer it sits! Great for picnics, since there is no mayonnaise and tastes good at room temperature. I just throw the salad together, so here is my impromptu recipe.

Try it this Labor Day weekend- you will not be disappointed!

Lentil Salad

Cook half of the bag of lentils according to directions on the package. Use the whole bag if feeding a crowd! Lentils expand a bit, so it makes a lot.

When the lentils are cooked and still warm, mix with your favorite Italian dressing and dried Italian seasoning to taste.

Then add: chopped carrots and celery, one chopped red or yellow bell pepper

The best part: Add anything marinated and from a jar! I use:

marinated artichokes

spicy banana peppers

sliced black olives or green olives

roasted red peppers

pickled green beans

marinated mushrooms

And the list goes on, only guided by your creativity.

Stir all together and let blend for at least a couple of hours- great overnight!

The pictures are decorated with a fresh nasturium- they add a slightly peppery taste.

Art Street Fest

One of the sure signs in our area that summer is ending- not Back to School stuff everywhere- but a festival called Art Street. Art Street encompasses everything that a festival should- good food, music, drink, and of course the Arts. Fine Art, Photography, Textiles, Jewelry, Woodworking, and Ceramics are all here in some form or another. It's a feast for the eyes, and a great place to buy unique pieces and be inspired to create your own.


Here's a taste of the atmosphere: (Unfortunately, one cannot really capture the artwork itself in photos!)

Love this guy!

Hope everyone has a great Monday!

A Game for Bloggers

Okay- I am a sucker for games, especially ones that are food based. I came across this one at Chocolate and Zucchini and filled it out according to directions. Here are my results- I really am a "foodie" at heart.

The Omnivore's Hundred is an eclectic and entirely subjective list of 100 items that Andrew Wheeler, co-author of the British food blog Very Good Taste, thinks every omnivore should try at least once in his life.

The Omnivore’s Hundred
Here’s a chance for a little interactivity for all the bloggers out there. Below is a list of 100 things that I think every good omnivore should have tried at least once in their life. The list includes fine food, strange food, everyday food and even some pretty bad food - but a good omnivore should really try it all. Don’t worry if you haven’t, mind you; neither have I, though I’ll be sure to work on it. Don’t worry if you don’t recognise everything in the hundred, either; Wikipedia has the answers.

Here’s what I want you to do:
1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at http://www.verygoodtaste.co.uk/ linking to your results.

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

I am a "foodie"- 65 items off the list, and I would try all of the others! Andrew Zimmern and Bizarre Foods on the Travel Channel had better watch out.

New from Domino

Good Monday Morning,

While reading my new Domino magazine this weekend, I came across a new feature that they are offering. It's called the Deco File and is "an online inspiration board that lets you organize all your decorating ideas and images in one paperless space".

Wow- you need to only register and then you can save pictures, create albums, and share your albums with friends via your blog... Sounds like a plan to me! Another great way to reduce clutter, and as always, Domino is right on top of trends AGAIN!

Register for your new "My Deco File" from Domino here. Let me know how its working for you- I think I will be starting mine this weekend...

Happy thoughts, and get to work on that new decorating file!

Sailing Away

Images of a fleeting summer...

Shoreline and Lighthouse on a picturesque day along Lake Michigan.

Happy Weekend!

Craft Room- Revisited

After spending yesterday afternoon, wading through my daughter's bedroom (a Back-To-School ritual for us), I needed a bit of a design break! Realizing that my craft room is on hold in our vacation place, but desperately needed after seeing my daughter's room, I did a little digging through some organizing sites. I have found some favorites, and now just need to place them in the room- at least in my mind and on paper!

Just an FYI- we are messy crafters and need lots of stuff and places to put the stuff! I tend to look right away at children's play areas- after all, we are "playing"!

From Pottery Barn Kids:
Flexi Wall System




I love the orange of the storage units and the versatility that comes with this unit.

From The Container Store:
The Elfa System


Elfa will probably be the system that I use- it's versatility, storage and drawer units will work for us. Although- I am drawn to the looks of the Pottery Barn one! So many choices, and so much time to deliberate!

Are there any great storage/craft systems out there that you want to share. I am open to any and all to keep my clutter under control!

Glass Flowers

Happy Monday Morning!

A garden project to start the week off with- Glass Flowers!

You will need:
1. wine bottles (use the ones from this weekend's Sangria!)
2. wooden dowels
3. paint
4. clear glass plates and/or bowls
5. glass beads or marbles
6. glass adhesive (available at your local craft stores)

This is a relatively easy project that you can do with the kids! Paint a flower on the underside of a glass plate and allow to dry. Use marbles, gems, beads as the center of the flower- attaching with the glass adhesive on the top of the plate. Follow the directions on the glue itself for best results. Then attach the finished glass flower to an inverted wine bottle with glue (see picture). Stake it in the ground and watch your flowers grow!

The 2008 Olympics!

Happy Friday!

The opening ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing is tonight. Who is not excited? I am very anxious to see China- I know it will be glossed over, but an interesting venue anyway. Good luck to all of the athletes! Just a little history behind the symbol...
The Olympic symbol consists of five interlaced rings of equal dimensions (the Olympic rings), used alone, in one or in five different colours, which are, from left to right, blue, yellow, black, green and red. The rings are interlaced from left to right; the blue, black and red rings are situated at the top, the yellow and green rings at the bottom in accordance with the following graphic reproduction. The Olympic symbol expresses the activity of the Olympic Movement and represents the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games.

Credit: IOC

Visiting Farmer's Market, Part 2

We went to our Wednesday night Farmer's Market, unable to make the larger Saturday one this past weekend. What I like about our Wednesday market is that it is right downtown amidst the shops and has a very unique mix of vendors. My photographic eye (LOL), caught the amazing array of flowers, and some fresh dill, but the veggie stands did not turn out as well. You will just have to wait until this Saturday to check out our abundant vegetable choices here in the Midwest.

Does your area have a Farmer's Market? What do you buy there and how do you prepare it? Let me know your thoughts...

It's Almost...Football Season!

OMG- it's almost football season! I watched my first pre-season game last night, and realized we have not discussed football at all! I am a huge couch potato fan and love to have football parties. This means tailgating food! I have compiled a couple of my favorites here- easy and crowd pleasing, whether the crowd is just your family or 50 people! Serve these appetizers and sides( this is just a sample- I have to pull more out, and of course taste test them before publishing!!!) with your best grilling specialities and favorite beer, and you are all set. Favorite beer? Right now we are liking Spotted Cow from the New Glarus brewing Company (available at Sam's Club).


Buffalo Chicken Dip

2 large cans of chicken- drained
8 ounces cream cheese
11/2-2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup ranch dressing, spicy if you can find it!
9 ounces Frank's Hot Sauce
Mix all together and bake for 30 minutes in a 350* oven.
Serve with blue cheese crumbles, celery, carrots, and tortilla chips

Marinated Mushrooms

2 # button mushrooms- whatever fits in your crockpot!
1 package dry Italian seasoning mix
1 stick butter or margarine
1 (8oz) bottle of Italian dressing
8 dashes Worchestershire sauce
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
white pepper, oregano,garlic- sprinkle all of these generously.
Cook on low in crockpot for 3-4 hours. The longer, the better!

Calico Beans

1 pound hamburger, browned
8 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped
1/4 cup onion, sauteed until translucent
1 large can of baked beans, not drained
1-12 ounce can of butter beans, drained
1-12 ounce can of kidney beans, drained
2 tablespoons of vinegar
1/4 cup of ketchup
3/4 cup of brown sugar
Mix all together and bake at 350* for 1 hour, until bubbly.

Coleslaw Salad

1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup white vinegar
2 packets of Ramen Noodle Seasoning mix
Mix together- this is the dressing for the salad.
Salad:
1 # coleslaw mix
1 bunch of green onions, chopped
2 packages of Ramen noodles- broken into pieces
1 cup of sunflower kernels
1 cup of toasted slivered almonds
Mix it all together right before serving.

Visiting Farmer's Market

We are fortunate to have an awesome Farmer's Market in my city. Going to it is one of my favorite summer pleasures! I love the displays of colorful fruits/veggies, flower bouquets, assorted baked goods, meats and cheeses- even homemade pasta and Chinese rangoons! I am salivating already!

I will be getting up bright and early tomorrow to shop, but I thought I would share some tidbits of information about Farmer's Markets today. Happy Weekend!

1. Don't forget a tote (forego plastic)- or even a wagon if its pumpkin season!

2. Buy raw, local honey. The raw part is good for aches and pains in joints, and the local part helps with allergies. Two Teaspoons a day helps keep the doctor at bay... and its really hard to get my family to eat honey- LOL

3. Try something different. We have great Asian farmers, so I am on the lookout for some different peppers, cabbages, or veggies that I am unfamiliar with.

4. Try and buy organic, if possible. This is especially important with berries- which are in season right now-because you do not peel berries and they absorb a lot of pesticides.

5. Enjoy the fact that you have reduced the carbon footprint a bit by buying local- good for you!

6. I find that produce lasts longer from the market since it is so much fresher, usually picked that morning or the day before.

7. What's for dinner tonight?Please add your thoughts to the Farmer's Market ideas and happy shopping!