Saturday, August 2, 2008

Oh happy day!

I love today. It's one of my favorite days of the year.

Last night I made two super awesome salads for dinner. Here they are, for your enjoyment!

Lentil Salad

4 biggish handfuls of lentils
1 med/large cucumber
1 small red onion
3 med/small beets
salt
grapeseed oil
balsamic vinegar

Put the lentils in a pot and cover with water. Simmer until they are tender, about 20 min. Drain and cool them.

Score the cucumber skin with a fork. Cut lengthwise and remove the seeds. Chop.

Finely chop the onion.

Steam or roast the beets and chop them up.

Mix the lentils with the chopped vegetables. Season with salt, oil, and balsamic to taste.

Quinoa Salad

1 c quinoa
1/2 tsp salt
1-2 tsp sugar
1 green pepper, chopped
1/2 red onion, minced
2 c corn (cut off a cob, or from frozen)
grapeseed oil
red wine vinegar
1 T lemon juice
1/4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp adobo spice mix (if you don't have this you can just use more cumin, or whatever spices you like!)
1 clove garlic, minced
salt to taste
(also would be good here but I didn't have: tomatoes and avocado. Black beans, too)

Cook the quinoa in 1.5 c water with the 1/2 tsp salt. Simmer 20 min til water is absorbed. Cool.

Mix with the veggies. Make a dressing from the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, cumin, adobo, and garlic. Pour over quinoa and veggies. Add salt as you like.

Anyway, Kenn and Giselle are coming up later today, and Craig and Vivienne and Valentina are coming over, too. I baked a fresh peach pie last night (It's pretty, I'll probably post a pic in my modesty...) and we're grilling tri tip and chicken to go with our huge salad and refreshing lemon ice.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you
happy birthday dear sweet Jovi
happy birthday to YOU!!

hope you have a fantastic day!

Chef Rachel Main said...

Happy Birthday!
Yea on being born to you, Jovi.
Do you rinse the saponin from your quinoa first? I rinse and toast it before I cook it...

the main stitch upholstery said...

happy birthday jovi! what is quinoa? both salads sound great but i am just imagining what quinoa must be. i am thinking a grain. your bar-b-que sounds wonderful. i wish i was there also. i would make you something yummy too. happy to be 32! i hope someone gives you some great new yarn.

Melany said...

Happy Birthday! Sounds like a wonderful feast. And, I will admit I was hoping and crossing my fingers that you would share the recipe. Sounds delicious.

-Melany

BirdEtt said...

I'm late... no internet over the weekend.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Nice to see you ate things that made you feel good on the day celebrating your life.

Jo said...

The lentil salad with beets is something new for me. I will try it. Thanks!
Looking forward to talking about your b-day.

Abby said...

mmmm, yummy!!! :)