Marianne's Balsamic Vinaigrette

Panini Monday was always best at Marianne's house if for no other reason than when we'd throw together a salad as an after thought, she always had her homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette on hand.  

So she claims he magic of this dressing is that it's different every time.  You have to tweak it the way you like it, but the basics are the following:

Ingredients

equal parts balsamic vinegar and oil, about 1/4 cup each (most people like more olive oil than vinegar, but I agree with Marianne, we like it strong - and it doesn't hurt that it makes it a tad less fattening). 

1 Tablespoon dijon mustard

1 Tablespoon brown sugar

Instructions

Shake it all up and serve. 

Oven Roasted Potatoes

The best part of these potatoes are the crispy burned parts, so if you're going to double this recipe, I suggest using two separate pans so you get the full effect. 

Ingredients

2 lbs potatoes cut into large chunks

1/3 cup olive oil

1 pkg Lipton Oinion Soup Mix

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Combine in a large zip lock bab.  Shake until potatoes are evenly coated.  Place potatoes in 9x13 inch pan and bake uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 40 minutes until potatoes are tender and golden brown.

Basic Rolls

A word about rolls.  My mom makes excellent ones, and they accompany every Sunday dinner.  She makes them ahead of time and them freezes them before she bakes them so they are ready for her when she needs them.  Nothing can replace these babies.  But if you're just not going to make them, I recommend Sister Schubert's Rolls.  As far as ready to cook freezer rolls go, they are untouchable.  But if you want the real good stuff, here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

4 T yeast (4 pkgs) in 1 cup warm water and 2 T sugar

2 c warm milk

2/3 c. shortening

4 t salt

2/3 c sugar 

4 eggs beaten

1 t vanilla

8 rounded cups flour or less (don't make the dough too stiff)

Instructions:

Mix and let stand 20 minutes.  Knead.  Let rise to double.  Roll out.  Cut into circles.  Fold circles in half and place on baking sheet.  Bake at 350 for approximately 20 minutes.   If you want to freeze the rolls after they are on the baking sheet, make sure to take them out of the freezer 3 hours before you want to put them in the oven.

Guacamole Salad

The first time I hung out with Janie she brought this dish to share.  I knew right away I wanted to be her friend.

By Ina Graten

1 pint grape tomatoes, halved 
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and 1/2-inch diced 
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained 
1/2 cup small diced red onion 
2 tablespoons minced jalapeno peppers, seeded (2 peppers) 
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lime zest 
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (2 limes) 
1/4 cup good olive oil 
1 teaspoon kosher salt 
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper 
2 ripe Hass avocados, seeded, peeled, and 1/2-inch diced

Place the tomatoes, yellow pepper, black beans, red onion, jalapeno peppers, and lime zest in a large bowl. Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic, and cayenne pepper and pour over the vegetables. Toss well.

Just before you're ready to serve the salad, fold the avocados into the salad. Check the seasoning and serve at room temperature. 

Paula Dean's Lemonade

Every time we go to a restaurant I ask if they have fresh squeezed lemonade.  If not, I just have water.  And if they do, I'm usually disappointed.  Ms. Paula Dean however, has found the perfect combination for my  picky palate. 

2 cups sugar

1 cup hot water

2 cups fresh lemon juice

1 gallon cold water

1 lemon, sliced

mint sprigs, for garnish

 

In a 1 gallon container,se place sugar and hot water, and stir until sugar dissolves.  Add lemon juice and cold water to render 1 gallon.  Stir until well mixed.  Pour lemonade over glasses of ice, sqeezeslice of lemon on top of each, and garnish with a sprig of mint.

To Make...

I am on a diet.  I must loose the pudge I was blessed with to carry Aviva.  Sadly, now that Aviva is a real person, there is no purpose for the pudge.  

But that won't stop me from looking and lusting after food.  So here are some links of recipes I WILL make once I get rid of this last 10 pounds.

Crash potatoes

Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos 

French Breakfast Puffs

This is a living list.  I will add to it whenever I am tempted.