simple lemon vinaigrette

unusually warm air has inspired some spring flavors in my household. i bring you a simple lemon vinaigrette. why buy the bottle when you can just make your own? side salads tossed with vinaigrettes accompany pretty much every meal when entertaining. white wine vinegar is a subtle flavor in the background allowing the lemon to be the star of the show. you can switch up the white wine vinegar and lemon in this recipe for red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar or you could get crazy and do a champagne vinegar...
a trick to get more juice out of your lemon- throw it in the microwave for 30 seconds.

simple lemon vinaigrette
3/4 c olive oil
1/2 c white wine vinegar
1 1/2 tbs dijon mustard
the juice of one lemon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

simply combine all ingredients together in an airtight container and shake until combined. this recipe makes quite a bit of dressing. i only use a quarter cup or so when tossing with leafy greens.

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marinated steak salad with sun dried tomatoes and arugula

i've been staring at this damn computer screen for the last hour trying to think of something great to say and this is all i've come up with. this is simple, yet packed with flavor. that's it. that's all i got. ugh.

marinated steak salad with sun dried tomatoes and arugula
1 sirloin steak
4 cups of arugula
4 oz gorgonzola cheese
handful of sun dried tomatoes, thinly sliced

steak marinade
1/2 c soy sauce
1/2 c olive oil
black pepper

salad dressing
1/8 c balsamic vinegar
1/4 c olive oil
salt & black pepper

1. combine marinade ingredients in a large bowl. place sirloin steak in bowl and marinade for 30 minutes on each side.
2. preheat oven to 450 degrees. heat oven proof saute pan over stovetop to highest heat. wait to put steak on pan until screaming hot. (you want that carmelization). place steaks in pan for 1 minute.
3. put pan in oven for 3 minutes and flip over cooking opposite side for another 3 minutes. this will give you a nice "medium" on each side.
4. allow steak to sit outside of the oven for at least 4 minutes. cut steak on an angle against the grain.
5. combine salad dressing ingredients and toss with arugula.
6. place strips of steak on a bed of arugula. top with crumbled gorgonzola and sun dried tomatoes.

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taco salad with rotisserie chicken and ranch salsa dressing

taco week day 1: here we go. 5 days of tacos. we're starting out with a simple salad using the good 'ol taco ingredients.
brian's reaction: "not bad for day 1 of taco week. i had my doubts since there wasn't a taco shell."10 minutes later. "i'm still hungry, but i ate all of the good parts." of course i ask "what are the good parts?" "the crunchy things and the cheese". great.

taco salad with rotisserie chicken and ranch salsa dressing
white meat of a rotisserie chicken, shredded
1/2 packet of fajita seasoning packet
3 tbl olive oil
romaine lettuce, chopped
black beans, drained & rinsed
corn
avocado, sliced
shredded cheddar cheese

"crunchy things"
4 corn tortillas
2 tbl olive oil

ranch salsa
1/2 c ranch dressing
1/2 c salsa

1. preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. heat olive oil over a saute pan. once hot, add shredded rotisserie chicken and add fajita seasoning. stir until combined and heated through.
3. place corn tortillas on a baking sheet. brush with olive oil and slice into 1' strips using a pizza cutter. spread out on baking sheet and bake in oven for 10 min or until golden brown and crunchy.
4. combine salsa and ranch dressing.
5. place all ingredients on a serving dish so your guests or your complicated hubby can create their own salad masterpiece.

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tortellini pasta salad

this recipe is a tradition at most friend events... showers, baptisms or one year birthday parties (we've surpassed the summers of a bazillion weddings and onto summers of a bazillion kiddo birthday parties) i eat it as a side dish in the summer or as a main course for lunch. yet another recipe with spinach.

tortellini pasta salad
2 bags refrigerated tortellini
6 c fresh spinach
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved.
1 can artichokes, drained & chopped
4 oz shredded parmesan

dressing:
1/2 c olive oil
1/4 c red wine vinegar
1 envelope italian dressing seasoning

1. cook tortellini as directed on package and cool.
2. mix dressing ingredients.
3. combine all ingredients.