Cooking Method: Mixing

Apple Cheddar Salad with Chicken, Bacon, Walnuts and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Apple Cheddar Salad with Chicken, Bacon, Walnuts, and Balsamic Vinaigrette is a delicious and hearty salad that is perfect for a fall meal. It is made with a variety of flavors and textures, including sweet apples, sharp cheddar cheese, savory chicken and bacon, and crunchy walnuts. The balsamic vinaigrette dressing ties all of the flavors together perfectly.

By Leslie Blythe

No-Churn Margarita Ice Cream

No-churn margarita ice cream is a delicious and easy to make dessert. It is made with just a few simple ingredients, including heavy cream, lime juice, tequila, triple sec, and powdered sugar. The cream is whipped until thick and then the other ingredients are added and mixed until combined. The ice cream is then frozen overnight and is ready to enjoy the next day.

The alcohol in the tequila and triple sec prevents the ice cream from freezing too hard, so it has a smooth and creamy texture. The ice cream can be served plain or garnished with lime zest or margarita salt.

By Leslie Blythe

Broccoli Apricot Chicken Salad with Lemony Greek Yogurt Dressing

It's too hot to cook! Broccoli Apricot Chicken Salad with Lemony Greek Yogurt Dressing is a delicious and healthy salad that is perfect for a summer picnic or potluck. The salad is made with broccoli florets, cooked chicken, apricots, green onion, and almonds, and is tossed in a creamy lemony Greek yogurt dressing.

By Leslie Blythe

Dubonnet and Gin Cocktail

As we contemplate a life without our late, great  QE II in it, let’s pay homage to her favorite drink which is a cocktail made with gin and Dubonnet. It had been her mother’s before her. Given the age that both these ladies attained, this bears looking into.
 
All this and more is contained in the book “To the Queen; A Royal Drinkology” by Thomas J.M. Mace Archer DeLacroix Mills, which is exactly as described; a book all about the Queen’s drinking habits, along with those of other members of her family. Elizabeth II always has one of her favorite Dubonnet and Gins before lunch. It is in her blood—her mother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, once noted as she was about to embark on a trip, "...I think that I will take two small bottles of Dubonnet and gin with me this morning, in case it is needed..." To quote from the book:
 
…in a well-known exchange over lunch between Queen Elizabeth II and her mother, the late Queen Mother, Elizabeth II stated, “I wonder if I might have a second glass of wine?” to which her mother replied with a smile, “Is that wise? You know you have to reign all afternoon.”
 
The Dubonnet cocktail is really quite good. Dubonnet is a sweet, wine-based aperitif, blended with fortified wine, herbs, and spices (including a small amount of Quinine) and pairs well with the medicinal austerity of gin. As an aside, Dubonnet was first sold in 1846 by Joseph Dubonnet, in response to a competition run by the government of France to find a way of persuading members of the French Foreign Legion in North Africa to drink Quinine, which combats Malaria but is very bitter. This has a familiar ring to it, to anyone familiar with the history of that oh, so British drink the Gin and Tonic.
 
The brand name Dubonnet was taken over by Pernod Ricard in 1976. You may remember in late 1970s an advertising campaign starring Pia Zadora. Or maybe not. Dubonnet is available in Rouge, Blanc and Gold (Vanilla and orange) varieties. No longer distributed by the Pernod Ricard Group, Dubonnet can be difficult to find in the  US. Lillet Rouge is a suitable substitute.
 
The royal warrant for Gordon’s gin is a very real thing (although remember that in England it comes in the green bottles we associate with Tanqueray) and it is perfectly suited to this drink.

By Leslie Blythe

Lentil Chickpea Salad with Maple Tahini Dressing

This Lentil Chickpea Salad with Maple Tahini Dressing is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and a power bowl of nutrition. It lasts in the fridge for up to 5 days, which makes it the perfect packable lunch.

By Leslie Blythe

Jennifer Aniston Friends Salad

I guess I might as well jump on the bandwagon with this recipe that is flooding the internet. Actually, the reason I made it is because I can never figure out what to have for lunch. I absolutely hate eating the food I make while catering because I've shopped for it, cooked it, and served it. By that time, I want something else.

This is the salad that Jennifer Aniston ate every day for 10 years on the set of Friends. What I like about it is that it's very versatile, you can easily adapt it to suit your taste. I used a packet of ready-made 7 grains instead of bulgar. You could use quinoa, brown rice, or any combination. You can change the kind of cheese, nuts, etc. Next time I make this, I will use green onions instead of red onions, I'm not a fan of red onions even after I soak them in water to remove some of the "oniony" taste. Anyway, it's a very good, healthy and nutritious lunch.

By Leslie Blythe

Lentil Salad with Lemon Dressing

This Lentil Salad with Lemon Dressing great for a picnic. The combination of cucumbers, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion and fresh mint goes perfectly with the lemony dressing. Lentils are an excellent source of B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc. They are high in protein, fiber and a great choice for the heart and for managing blood pressure and cholesterol. I could go on with even more health benefits of lentils!

By Leslie Blythe

Tokyo Hot Dog

My daughter and her boyfriend took me to this fun brewery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. They wanted me to try the Tokyo hot dog. All I can say is that I'm hooked and  I want to make this when I get home! I love hot dogs. This Tokyo hot dog is a new and different way to serve hot dogs. Put away the boring ketchup, mustard and relish and try this!

By Leslie Blythe

Tuna Salad with Yogurt, Capers, and Za’atar

My husband loves tuna salad, and I gave him this recipe for Tuna Salad with Yogurt, Capers, and Za'atar to try. He loved it! You can serve it on a bed of lettuce or with pita bread. Za'atar is a spice mixture from the Middle East. You can buy it or make it yourself. I have provided a recipe.

By Leslie Blythe

Marinated Chickpea and Feta Salad with Spring Vegetables

This Marinated Chickpea and Feta Salad with Spring Vegetables makes a great lunch. It also has farro, which is a food composed of the grains of certain wheat species. Because it contains more fiber than other popular grains like rice or even quinoa, farro might have even more positive benefits when it comes to digestion and cardiovascular health. It's also exceptionally high in protein for a grain and supplies more than 10 different vitamins and minerals. Trader Joe's sells 10 Minute Farros, which is fast and easy to make.

By Leslie Blythe