Hello Monday!
I feel like today is the first day in about 2 weeks that I actually know what day it is and that I can count on my usual stops {stores} will be open. And that, my friends, is a good feeling.
One of my unofficial goals this year was to eat better. I know, I know it’s such a vague thing to say but I am happy to report that 2025 is off to a good start!
My favorite thing {other than pastries} are big salads, and last week I ate 2 of them. I just can’t get enough of the Mediterranean Crunch salad mix from Costco. It’s so addicting!
My favorite thing {other than pastries} are big salads, and last week I ate 2 of them. I just can’t get enough of the Mediterranean Crunch salad mix from Costco. It’s so addicting!
And at $8.99 for 2 big bags of salad mix with all the fixings, I think it’s a deal. Granted, I usually add in a few extras but still. It’s easy. I love it. I’m going to keep eating it. 🙂
Soup is another thing I’m addicted to lately.
This week I made a simple beef and bean soup {leftover beef tips from the freezer, frozen spinach, 2 cups of dried beans and a can of Rotel} it was delicious!
I also made haddock chowder! Everyone loved it {even the in-laws}. Anyone want the recipe?
Speaking of the in-laws, The HH and I went out for a fancy dinner with them and had another great meal.
In fact everything we ate was a winner this past week. When does that ever happen?
We even liked the 2 new {to us} frozen meals from Trader Joe’s we had. Spaghetti carbonara and some sort of ginger noodle thing. Okay, so the HH had the ginger noodle thing… I think I had a bowl of Costco canned chicken salad that day. 😉
All in all I think we’re off to a good start. We’ll be near Trader Joe’s tomorrow so I’m hoping to load up on their mini avocados and some other veggies. And of course, some of their amazing indoor plants.
Winter + indoor plants are always a good idea.
How was your week? Are you trying to work more fruits and veggies onto your plate {or in your hands} this year? Do you have any new grain based salad recipes that you love?
I think that’s what I want to try and make next. Grain based salads and the cream cheese ginger cookies from the New York Times. So if you’ve got a great recipe to pass along, I’d love to give it a whirl.
Have a great day everyone,
~Mavis
Holley says
I just ate a homemade cinnamon roll for breakfast as I read this. I think I’ll stop at the store for some fruit and salad fixings on the way home from my eye appointment! Thanks for the reminder!
Sue says
“Big Salad” is something we have most weeknights for dinner. It gets us all our veggies for the day, so it’s a Good Thing.
Yes Please on the haddock chowder recipe! Soup is one of the great pleasures of winter.
Laura Z says
Looks like a great week of meals! I just noticed on Youtube that Yankee Magazine posted a video called “The Best of New England’s General Stores” six days ago. Thought you’d enjoy!
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Laura,
I will take a look. 🙂
Anissa says
Tabbouleh is my favorite. I use a very similar method to this. I half the parsley and in the winter use a bit of dried mint to cut costs. It is also fine with lemon juice from bottle when I don’t have fresh lemons. Drain your tomatoes well.
For eating fresh, a sprinkle of feta makes it extra delicious!
https://www.loveandlemons.com/tabbouleh/#wprm-recipe-container-64986
Margo says
My favorite grain based salad is tabbouleh, but I use quinoa instead of bulgur wheat since I’m gluten free. Add parsley, garlic, cukes, and tomatoes if available. Sometimes we even add shrimp. So good!
Catherine says
It’s also good if you add some Feta to the salad. I use quinoa as well.
KaGu says
While I am not a “bowl” fan, I do absolutely love a hearty winter salad that combines hot and cold!
My go-to grain salad features farro; it’s a chewy delight!
Throw a big spoonful in the center of mixed greens (whatever’s around, though dark spinach and roquette mixed with beet greens and red lettuces sure are pretty!). Adorn with groupings of sliced apple/pear, red onion (I prefer fresh, for the bite, but caramelised are also lovely), roasted winter squash or sweet potato (Alternatively carrot, as a simpler option), some beets, and then pepitas/sunflower
seeds for crunch and fiber. Serve with a warm cinnamon maple vinaigrette (apple cider, whole grain mustard, clove of garlic, bit of salt) and a peppermill.
To make it fancy, add some candied pecans along with the seeds, a bit of dried cranberries or sweet cherries (or just plain old raisins), and consider adding seasonal mushrooms (e.g. dried and rehydrated porcini, then roasted with the squash ; alternatively fresh marinated button cremini, oyster, or chanterelle mushrooms).
I’ll also add a crispy Camembert round or breaded grilled chèvre cheese if I can find it at a good price! (Breaded [or not!!] halloumi or mozzarella are also great options, though often mozzarella *sticks* have oregano/pizza seasoning in the batter, so watch the labels).
See also home-sprouted grains, like mustard seed and radish seed, which add lovely and delicate pops of color, along with plentiful vitamins and minerals, for a negligible cost!
KEWilson says
Can we have the cream cheese ginger cookie recipe please? It sounds AWESOME
Marlene Wurtzbacher says
I would be interested in the Haddock chowder please. Thanks
JoAnn Moran says
I love soup and I love fish, so I would love the haddock chowder recipe.
Debbi says
I love this winter salad from Featherstone Nutrition: https://www.featherstonenutrition.com/recipe/winter-salad-meal-prep/
I use quinoa and often substitute with ingredients I have on hand. The original version with no substitutions is delectable.
Lori King says
Love this! Serve it over Quinoa
https://www.cookefast.com/roasted-veggie-chickpea-bowls-maple-dijon-tahini-dressing/
Sue S. says
I really love Panera’s Mediterranean bowl. You could probably make a really good copycat one.
RobininSoCal says
This one looks interesting and you can modify to your taste. https://thetastefultribe.com/the-best-quinoa-and-celery-salad-costco-copycat-recipe/#