Have you ever thought, "I don't like spinach. Yuck. It really has no taste and it sticks between your teeth. I know it is good for you but I'll take my iceberg lettuce thank you." Not so fast. Try this salad and spinach will be your new salad favorite. The dressing is de-lish and it really makes all of the salad parts a cohesive whole. mmmmm. Plus it has Iceberg lettuce and bacon and mushrooms and red onion......Phil, you may even enjoy this spinach salad.

Spinach Salad

1 large bag spinach

1 head iceburg lettuce washed and torn into bite sized pieces

½ lb mushrooms sliced

¾ lb swiss cheese grated

1 large container cottage cheese

1 lb bacon cooked and crumbled (I cut it into bite sized pieces before cooking)

1 red onion sliced thinly

Combine all ingredients and toss with dressing right before serving (dressing recipe makes more than you need)

Dressing

1½ T poppy seeds

¾ t. dry mustard

¾ C white vinegar

¾ C sugar

1½ C oil (I use a vegetable and olive oil combo)

1½ t. dry onion

1 t. salt

combine and chill overnight so the flavors can combine. Printable recipe

Posted in my favorites , salad , spinach , 0 Comments

Spaghetti is my go-to when I have no idea what I'm going to make for dinner. I love this recipe because it takes the store-bought jar of spaghetti sauce and amps it up a couple of notches. I love mixing in the noodles so they can absorb the tomato-y goodness. Don't know what to fix tonight? Give this a try.

Spaaaaahhhhghetti

1 lb ground beef browned (oil drained)
12 oz spaghetti noodles cooked al dente and drained
2 cans (or jars) prepared spaghetti sauce
1 onion chopped
1/2 - 1 tsp minced garlic
1 Tbs Red wine vinegar
1 Tbs (rounded) brown sugar

Saute onion in olive oil. Add minced garlic, browned ground beef and spaghetti sauce. Then add red wine vinegar and brown sugar. Stir and let simmer. Add cooked spaghetti noodles and fresh basil (optional). Serve with Parmesan or Mozzarella cheese. Printable recipe

Posted in comfort food , ground beef , main dish , noodles , 0 Comments

Do you feel sluggish? Like you ate WAY too many treats over the holiday? Are you like me and feel like you need a little detox? This always works for me...a Green Smoothie. Drink one for breakfast for a few days and you will feel full and satisfied until lunch. Please note: although the smoothie is an unattractive green color it tastes sweet like the fruit...not spinach-y. This is how I make mine:

Green Smoothie Jodi Style

1 apple, sliced
2 oranges, peeled
1 banana, peeled
1 cup water
1 cup frozen strawberries
1 cup other frozen fruit ie raspberries, blueberries, mango, pears etc
2 generous handfuls of spinach
1 Tbs agave to sweeten (optional)

Blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Other add ins: carrot juice, flax seed, coconut water, olive oil

Interested in more green smoothie recipes? Look here

Posted in breakfast , fruit , healthy , spinach , 0 Comments

I love Paula Dean. She is such a cutie and her accent is so fun to listen to. My sister mentioned this stew that PD made so I thought I'd try 'er out. It is called Old-Time Beef Stew. Stew is such a great comfort food. This one is flavored nicely...I knew Paula would pull through for us. I just wish I had some of this bread.

Old-Time Beef Stew
*Paula Deen

2 pound stew beef
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
2 c. water
1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
1 clove garlic, peeled
2 bay leaves
1 medium onion, sliced
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. paprika
3 large carrots, sliced
3 ribs celery, chopped
2 Tbs. cornstarch

Directions:
Brown meat in hot oil. Add water, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, bay leaves, onion, salt, sugar, pepper, and paprika. Cover and simmer 1 1/2 hours. Remove bay leaves and garlic clove. Add carrots and celery. Cover and cook 30 to 40 minutes longer. To thicken gravy remove 2 cups hot liquid. Using a separate bowl, combine 1/4 cup water and cornstarch until smooth. Mix with a little hot liquid and return mixture to pot. Stir and cook until bubbly. Printable recipe.

Posted in beef , comfort food , soup , 0 Comments