This week is nothing short hectic. I’m sure everyone has them but this week it’s seems to have gotten the better of me and its only Wednesday I am doing a super easy salad to throw together at the last minute for Bunco. Monday was a paint party, which I will never turn down the opportunity to get together with a bunch of women, exception of 1 man. They are so much fun even after a full day of work. I can’t say painting is a de-stresser the OCD and perfectionist tends to come out while painting. Fun none the less, always good company and snacks to boot.
Tuesday night is Bunco with another group of fun ladies, just a reason to get together and catch up, eat, drink and if you’re lucky walk away with a little more than the $5 you contributed. BTW I won big!!!! 6 Buncos for any of you that know the game.
Wednesday is another full one, the hubs and I are heading to El Paso with a stop off in Tularosa for the night. Why there? Rather than drive the full way, my sister lives there so spend a few hours then head out in the morning to El Paso.
Thursday, now this is the really fun one. I get to meet back up with my bestie Steven & his hubs. They live in Vegas, not the NM one, the real one. They are in the entertainment field and have become friendly with lots of cool & interesting people. Namely Elton John, pffff (puffing out my chest as I type this) Elton is one of my new best friends, he is just unaware of it. They have gone to events with he & his husband and I can’t even begin to count how many times they’ve been to his concert. Anyways, sidetracked for a minute. Elton (as if I were on a first name basis with him) is performing in El Paso Stevens home town. Merry Christmas to the hubs and I, Steven called on Christmas and invited us to go with he and Joseph and Steven’s parents who live in El Paso, Of course I said yes!
I am starting to realize this looks more like a diary entry rather than a food article. Well this is I’m sure much more interesting than any entry of my teenage years. I get to have bragging rights indirectly by association. I am so proud of my bestie & his hubs, they lived in Portales for several years and moved to Vegas with a company Steven worked for. Steven has since left his “normal” life and become a standup comic and emcee. I always knew he was funny, now he gets paid for it. Joseph, was the event coordinator for the Yam when they moved and has since become the house manager for the hottest show on the strip, Absinthe. This is such a cool show, mind you there is language from the banter between the show hosts. I can’t really explain how interesting this show is. You are seated in a tent, on the grounds of Caesars and the stage is 9 feet from the first row of seats. It’s a very eclectic mish mosh of seats, décor and acts performing. I think the best way to describe it is a stepping stone to Cirque du Soleil. At one point, I know one of the emcees was in Cirque. There are performers from the flying Wallenda family. Strength (my favorite) and wire acts as well as roller skating and other various acts. The show is ever changing and growing. The bulk of the performers are European. I looked for a clip on YouTube either not suitable for all or grainy videos, so you can search at your leisure.
Back to the recipe. I have made several versions of this salad over time. I think this one is more to my liking. I’ve added avocadoes over time, changed the nuts and the dressing. This combo is a good one and easily you can still omit any ingredient. Bonus, gluten and vegetarian friendly. This is best made tight before you are ready to serve, or if you have to make ahead, don’t add your dressing until ready to serve.
Spinach Salad
1 bag of spinach (I don’t use fresh, it’s a pain to clean and dry for this recipe)
1 carton strawberries sliced ..you can add other fruit as well, any berry would work, I think mandarin oranges would be a nice addition
½ purple onion sliced thinly
½ C nuts of your choice toasted for a few minutes in the oven and cooled. (pecans for me)
Feta cheese
1-2 Avocadoes chopped
Dressing..
This is where I have experimented the most. I got lazy this time and used equal parts balsamic vinegar & chokeberry syrup (I got my syrup at the Veggie Shack) and did not add any poppy seeds. I have just used my flavored balsamic as well, pomegranate or grapefruit are good, no need to add anything to them.
Other variations include
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
2 tbl sugar
1 tsp poppy seeds
Mix well and dress the salad right before serving
**Written by Joann Rackler
