Getting back into the swing of things

Eleven days of vacation will do strange things to a person. Everyday tasks that seemed effortless now become a struggle. We had a great time on vacation and got to see lots of family and friends that we have missed so much since our move to Texas. Mark was surprised with a couple of cookouts for his birthday, and even some great presents - homemade pies, a smoking jacket and an electric smoker. Mark wasted no time putting the smoker together and to good use upon our arrival home. I ran to the store for ingredients for a favorite BBQ side dish.


Spicy Coleslaw
1 package broccoli coleslaw
1 package home style coleslaw
1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
1/2 red onion, diced
1 TBS cumin
1 TBS chili powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or more to taste)
10 dashes of chipotle Tabasco sauce (or more to taste)

1/4 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
1/2 cup ranch dressing
3/4 cup miracle whip or mayonaisse (or more to desired consistency)

Combine all ingredients, chill overnight and enjoy!

Pasta Salad

We often bar-b-que and have friends over... since I don't partake in the meat, my main contribution is the side dishes. I am known for my pasta salad creations. This is one I created recently when our friends Kai and Renee came over... it got rave reviews!

Awesome Pasta Salad V
8 oz baby bowties, cooked, drained
1/2 cup shredded mozzerella
1 cup broccoli florettes
1 red pepper, diced
6 sun dried tomatoes (not packed in oil), julianned
6oz jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and patted dry
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup pesto

Combine all ingredients and enjoy!

Yet... another great pasta salad

For our first dinner in our new house, we went to the local fish market and picked up dinner. Mark smoked some grouper, flounder and colossal shrimp. A friend brought coleslaw and I made this fabulous pasta salad.

Greek Pasta Salad

8 oz mini bowtie pasta, cooked to al dente and drained
12 kalamata olives, roughly chopped
1 can artichoke hearts in water, drained and cut into quarters
1 roasted red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes, julienned
4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
1 cup balsamic vinegarette dressing
1 tsp fresh minced garlic
2 tsp greek seasoning

Combine all ingredients and enjoy!

Sometimes I amaze myself

Lately, I have been trying to eat mostly unprocessed/minimally processed foods. I had some cooked Bulgar on hand and decided to make a tabbouleh style salad with a few extras. It was simply heavenly. Here's what i did:

Vic's Tabbouleh
2 cups cooked Bulgar
1 bunch green onion, sliced
12 yellow cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1 small cucumber, seeded and diced
leaves from one bunch of parsley
1/2 cup edamame
1/4 cup feta, crumbled
1 1/2 lemons, juiced
1 1/2 TBS good olive oil
fresh ground pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and enjoy!

Awesome Pasta Salad

I created this recipe to take to my sister's house right after she gave birth to her twin daughters.  She loved this pasta salad and it has becomed my go to dish for a summer bbq side.

Awesome Pasta Salad
1/2 box whole wheat rotini, cooked, drained
2 cups broccoli florets, cooked with pasta during last minute of cooking
1 can chickpeas, drained
1 can ripe olives, drained
1 jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained
4 green onions, slivered
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup red peppers, julienned
1 jar pepperocini peppers (whole)
2 garlic cloves, minced
8 oz mozzarella cheese
balsamic vinaigrette dressing

Combine the above ingredients in large bowl and mix. Best chilled overnight.