Inexpensive Meals: Lentils are Hearty, Healthy and a Small Bag Can Feed a Crowd

LEBANESE RECIPE: Mujaddara

I did not start eating lentils until I got married back in the 70s. It was never served in my mom's house. I learned how to cook them because my husband liked them. I usually seasoned them with smoked turkey and added diced carrots, onions, and celery. Learned that lentils are a common dish in the Middle East. They are legumes and they come in different colors: black, brown, red, and yellow. They can not be eaten RAW. Also, you don't have to soak them before cooking.

FUN FOOD FACTS:

• Lentils are one of the oldest cultivated crops in human history. (You know it! They're mentioned in the Bible.)

• Lentils likely came to the USA via European Settlers, especially from Mediterranean countries.

• In the early 1900s, the USDA and land-grant universities began promoting lentils as a rotational crop due to their nitrogen-fixing properties.

• As of today, the USA is now one of the world’s top producers of lentils. The United States grows several types: green, red, black (also known as Beluga lentils), and French green (Puy-style) lentils.

Mujaddara is a dish of cooked lentils together with groats, generally rice, and garnished with sautéed onions.

• Here is a recipe: Mujadara (Lentils and Rice with Caramelized Onions) -Cookie and Kate  

“Mujadara is served across the Middle East in various forms and goes by differing names, depending on where you are. It has many spelling variations: mujadarra, mujadarah, majadra, mejadra, moujadara, mudardara, and megadarra.”

• More Info: What Are Lentils and How Do You Cook Them? | Cooking Light ~ 

The good thing about lentils is that they are very inexpensive, and one small bag (16 oz.) can make a big pot to feed a lot of people.

Foodie Nuggets: Awful Things Americans Do With Pumpkins (Humor and Recipe-sharing)

I used to watch a cooking show called “Two Fat Ladies.” They were British. One day, they made dishes using pumpkin. One of them remarked, something to the effect: “The pumpkin is wonderful. But Americans do all sorts of horrible things with it like … make pumpkin pie.”

I'm an American. I got a chuckle out of the comment. Not only do we make pies with pumpkin, but we also make bread!

Marvelous recipes from an awesome food blog called The Cookie Rookie.

Oatmeal Pumpkin Bread with Apple Cider Sauce

Pumpkin Pie Monkey Bread Recipe

Oatmeal Pumpkin Bread with Apple Cider Sauce https://t.co/cHiKAVR42J via @cookierookiebec @EverydaySpices

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) September 14, 2021

Pumpkin Pie Monkey Bread Recipe https://t.co/l2ckKAhr3R via @cookierookiebec @EverydaySpices

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) September 14, 2021

Cooking with "Two Fat Ladies" https://t.co/4sr8xdDhCt via @amazon #homeaandkitchen #cookbooks #cookingshows #Britishchefs #Cooking pic.twitter.com/U7XN8fBOfG

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) September 14, 2021

Recipe Sharing: The Simple Joys of Italian Sausage

How did I come to know about the simple joys of Italian sausage?  The first time I ever used Italian sausage was when I made stuffing for Thanksgiving. I grew up with my mother using the turkey gizzards, so I thought that was “The Only Way”. When I made the stuffing with Italian sausage, it became the main side dish for our holiday meals. It was a memorable "first food experience".  From that time forward, I can leave out other side dishes for our turkey day meal.  But if I don't make stuffing … I will hear nothing but complaints!

My second simple way to enjoy Italian sausages?  I was in a grocery store one day, and the chef was giving out free samples of a hearty soup he had made. Soup is such a comfort food. The soup was made with dark green veggies, legumes, chicken broth, and sausages.  It was delicious! That became my other simple way of using Italian sausage.

My 3^rd way is a simple sausage, onions, and peppers, over rice.

I never make my own Italian sausage because the store-bought brand is inexpensive and tasty. Although I did watch an Italian cooking show one time and the chef showed how to make your own.

How to Cook Italian Sausage {3 different ways!} - Spend With Pennies

~ What are the 3 ways: Stovetop, Oven, or Grill.

I usually do my sausages in the oven so I don't have to watch them on the stove. I would grill them. But I don't have a grill.

Who likes Italian sausage?  What's your favorite way to eat them?

My #foodie posts. “...looking for easy ideas for entertaining or tasty weeknight dinners, these top Italian sausage recipes will make any meal feel like a zesty #Italian feast....” 20+ Best Italian Sausage Recipes – How to Cook Italian Sausage www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking...

— [ᴛʀᴇᴀᴛʜʏʟ ꜰᴏx ᴀᴋᴀ ᴄᴍᴏɴᴇʏꜱᴘɪɴɴᴇʀ] 💖 (@cmoneyspinner.bsky.social) 2025-09-05T01:28:23.289Z

https://www.tumblr.com/myfoodieluv/793810086276497408/italian-sausage-is-one-of-my-all-time-favorite

https://www.tumblr.com/myfoodieluv/793810810380206080/here-at-delish-we-have-a-rule-of-thumb-on-how-to

Miso is Good for Your Health

Miso is the fermented soybean paste that is used in Japanese cuisine. It offers many nutritional health benefits. Actually, nutritionists say that most fermented foods are very good for you. But miso is “recognized as one of the top superfoods for gut health”

.

FUN FOOD FACTS:

“According to the Japan Miso Promotion Board, there are over 1,300 kinds of miso!”

“...the Japanese drink a bowl of miso soup three times a day ...”


WEIRD FOOD FACT:

Even though miso has a high salt content, it's not bad for your heart like other high-sodium foods.


The Health Benefits of Miso ~ Just One Cookbook

~ You can buy miso ready-made or make your own. 

* * * Homemade Miso 

 

FOOD FACT: Did You Know: Japanese cuisine is one of only three national food traditions recognized by the UN for its cultural significance. 

10 Things You Should Know About Japanese Food

What Should Kids Drink? Healthy Beverage Choices for Children

When it comes to growing children, it's extremely important to choose drinks that support their health and development. Based on my research (and life experience), here's a list of the best drinks for children, in order of what's generally considered the best. 

Water: The top choice for hydration, it has no calories, sugar, or additives.  My mom and dad used to call water “Adam's ale” and they always made sure to keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator.  I also drank water from the kitchen faucet ... without a filter!  Can you believe it?

Plain Milk: Provides essential nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and protein.  My mom always kept milk in the fridge because we ate a lot of cereal. Although? The amount of sugar in those boxes of cereal? I'm not sure. IT might have canceled out the benefits of the milk.

100% Fruit Juice: Limited amounts can be beneficial, but it's best to avoid juices with added sugars.  The only juice I remember drinking a lot growing up was orange juice. Back in the day, we had a milkman who delivered, and either that was the only juice he sold, or the only juice my mom bought. I really loved pineapple juice so whenever I got to enjoy it (usually around the holidays), it was a special treat. These days it seems like everybody is into “juicing” and blending fruits and veggies into a drink; or you can buy from the store. There are lots of fruit juices with carrots or beets. That's cool! But I prefer my fruit juice separately.

• Is Juicing Worth the Squeeze? | Kendall Reagan Nutrition Center 

100% Vegetable Juice: Similar to fruit juice, but with added vitamins and minerals.  It used to be there was only V8 tomato juice and I tried my best to avoid it. LOL. Now V8 has a lot of variety in their vegetable juice product line. Of course, you can buy a juicer and make your own. Green drinks are very popular. I'm guessing that kids will drink it.

• The Best Green Juice Recipe for Kids - Tested and Approved! | Food Gardening Network

Juicers ~ best sellers and easy to clean

Plant-Based Milk Alternatives: Suitable for children with allergies or dietary restrictions, but ensure they are fortified with necessary nutrients.  Some kids are lactose-intolerant. In my home, I gave birth to lactose-intolerant children. They got it from their daddy! My late husband said when he was growing up they gave him goat milk or soy milk. If it weren't for him and having his children, I might have never known there was such a thing as Plant-Based Milk.

Flavored Milk: Can be an occasional treat, but it's better to stick with plain milk for daily consumption.  Occasional? Not for me! My mom kept milk in the fridge but he also kept Nestlé Quik powder in the pantry. If I had to drink milk in a glass it was going to be chocolate! For our school lunches, we had a choice: white or chocolate. I always picked chocolate! I thought those were the only two choices in the world. But there are strawberry, banana, and other flavors.

• Delicious and Unique Flavored Milk Recipes to Make at Home | The Dairy Alliance

The point to be made is coffee, tea, sodas or carbonated beverages and fake fruit drinks that have dyes for color and a small percentage of real juice are probably not the “best drinks” for a growing child.  (Although we did drink a lot of Kool-aid.)  But let's see what a medical professional says about it.

What Should Kids Drink? Water, Milk, Juice, Soda | WebMD

Foodie Nuggets: Homemade Gift Ideas: Air-Dried Herbs Make Great Food Gifts

Air-drying is better than heat-drying because the heat evaporates essential oils. Drying solves the problem of food waste, and learning how to air-dry herbs could become a hobby that you could turn into an income stream. Also, air-dried herbs make nice gifts. I would love to receive a jar of air-dried Herbs de Provence.

Learn how to air-dry and how to store the dried herbs. 

~ How To Air-Dry Herbs

Food Dehydrator - Electric 5 Tier Tray Machine with Adjustable Temperature Control & Hot Air Circulation - #Food #Dryer for Beef Jerky, #Vegetables, #Fruit & Dog #Snacks - Stainless Steel, 250W by VonShef ~ https://t.co/aZEeB892TP via @amazon #smallappliances #homeandkitchen pic.twitter.com/LfX0yMtnS9

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) August 21, 2021

(NOTE: Content below is AI-Generated using ChatGPT)

Here are three excellent step-by-step guides from 2020–2025 that walk you through how to air-dry herbs effectively:

🌿 1. Mama on the Homestead – Hang Drying Process

• Step-by-step highlights:

  • Harvest herbs in the morning before flowering.

  • Shake gently to remove insects; rinse if needed.

  • Remove lower leaves and bundle stems with twine.

  • Hang upside down in a dry, shaded area for 1–2 weeks.

  • Store in airtight containers once fully dry.

🌿 2. Decor With Style – Comprehensive Guide

• Step-by-step highlights:

  • Harvest healthy herbs before flowering.

  • Clean and prep herbs by removing excess moisture.

  • Bundle with twine and hang in a ventilated space.

  • Monitor drying progress and avoid overcrowding.

  • Store dried herbs in labeled jars away from light.

🌿 3. GardenerBible – Preserve Flavor Naturally

• Step-by-step highlights:

  • Choose herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano.

  • Clean thoroughly and pat dry.

  • Bundle and hang in a low-humidity area.

  • Avoid direct sunlight to preserve color and oils.

  • Check dryness after 1–2 weeks and store properly.

Coffee Recipes for Coffee Lovers

My mother and her siblings (her brothers and sister, my aunts and uncles) have all passed away. All I have now are my memories. One fond memory that I have of one of my aunts is that her favorite way to drink coffee was a tall glass of iced coffee. My sister always loved iced tea. I had no idea people could drink iced coffee. Imagine my surprise! She didn't make it fancy. Just some coffee, cream, sugar, and lots of ice. If you happen to be an iced coffee lover, I found some recipes to take your coffee-loving to another level.  I want to try the Iced Caramel Latte. Although? I've heard a lot about how delicious Vietnamese coffee is. I might try that too!  

Link to the recipes are below following my blurb about the history of coffee and coffeehouses.

Image Credit:  Coffee Mug Warmer

Starbucks Flavored Ground Coffee — Mocha — No Artificial Flavors — 6 bags (11 oz. each) https://t.co/QYuBf4ausx via @amazon #coffeedrinkers #coffeelovers #giftideas #grocery #gourmet #foodanddrink @EverydaySpices @goshoppingbees pic.twitter.com/yJQhWn9ysL

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) December 15, 2021

☕ History of Coffee and Coffeehouses

My research on the history of coffee was surprising.  Did you know its origins are traced back to Ethiopia? I grew up in the generation where Juan Valdez from Columbia was in your kitchen cabinet. Ethiopia? Not Columbia? It was quite fascinating. There's even an Ethiopian legend. 

• A goat herder named Kaldi discovered coffee after noticing his goats became energetic after eating the berries from a certain tree. He shared this discovery with a local monastery, and the energizing drink quickly spread among the monks.

From Ethiopia it spread to Arabia and by the 15th century, coffee plants were cultivated in Yemen, and Sufi monks used coffee to stay awake during their night prayers. Coffeehouses started showing up in cities across the Near East. People gathered there for fun and intelligent banter, kind of like Mars Hill. Only on Mars Hill the intellectuals and philosophers probably drank wine instead of a cup of coffee.

Around the 17th century, thanks to the trade routes, coffee made its way to Europe. Coffeehouses began dotting the European landscape and were used for socializing and intellectual discussion.

18th Century and beyond? Coffee was being cultivated in the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Brazil became the world's largest coffee producer by the mid-19th century. In the 20th century Colombia, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, and Vietnam emerged as major producers.

Caffè Florian, one of the world's oldest coffee houses, opened in Venice on this day in 1720. pic.twitter.com/J0u3Lkll2U

— Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) December 29, 2024

☕ Fun Notes About Coffeehouses:

• Kiva Han, is a coffeehouse which opened in 1475 in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey). Turkish coffee was served strong, black, and unfiltered, brewed in an ibrik (a small pot with a long handle, specifically designed for brewing Turkish coffee, buy on Amazon).

There are two (2) famous coffeehouses in Europe:

1. Caffè Florian in Venice, Italy, was established in 1720. Notable figures such as Lord Byron, Goethe, and Charles Dickens hung out there.

2. Les Deux Magots in Paris, France, founded in 1822, was known to be a favorite spot for Hemingway, James Joyce, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. La dee dah!

Inspirational Coffee/Tea Cups ... Set of Four Rustic Stoneware #Coffee/#Tea #Mugs w/#BibleVerses ... Colors: Sage Green, Ivory, Paprika Red, Pumpkin Orange https://t.co/t8CGyjVdlp via @amazon #homeandkitchen #kitchenanddining #gifts #giftideas #holidays #autumn @EverydaySpices pic.twitter.com/gTLILzCVbG

— Treathyl Fox (aka cmoneyspinner) ~ #Freelancer (@cmoneyspinner) October 31, 2022

Today coffee beloved drink served worldwide, hot or cold. I can't tell you how many Korean dramas I've watched where the characters order “Iced Americano”. Coffee is one of the world's most popular beverages, and it's enjoyed in various forms and preparations, from espresso to cold brew.

REFERENCES:

“The History of Coffee.” National Coffee Association of U.S.A., Inc., https://www.ncausa.org/About-Coffee/History-of-Coffee. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.

Myhrvold, Nathan. “History of Coffee.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 6 May 2021, https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-coffee.

Paajanen, Sean. “The Evolution of the Coffee House.” The Spruce Eats, 4 Mar. 2009, https://www.thespruceeats.com/evolution-of-the-coffee-house-765825.

MacDonnell, Kate. “The History of Coffee Houses: Centuries of Cafés!” Corner Coffee Store, 24 Feb. 2021, https://cornercoffeestore.com/history-of-coffee-houses/.

Lush, Emily. “17 Historic European Cafes Worth Travelling For.” Wander-Lush, 11 Sept. 2020, https://wander-lush.org/beautiful-historic-european-cafes/.

Sophie. “11 Coffee Houses in Europe with a Classical Taste for Culture.” Tourism on the Edge, 19 Nov. 2024, https://www.tourismontheedge.com/coffee-houses-in-europe-with-a-classical-taste-for-culture/?form=MG0AV3.

• Would you like to know how to brew coffee with an ibrik?  Click here.

9 Easy Iced Coffee Recipes to Elevate Your Morning Routine

* * *
☕ ☕ Here are some more coffee recipes.  I love cheesecake! But the strawberry cheesecake latte is a bit too much for me. I won't be trying this coffee recipe.

7 #HomeCafe Coffee Recipes On TikTok That Will Make You Feel Like A Barista

15 Holiday Coffee Recipes That Will Keep You Warm This Winter

☕ Do you have a favorite way to enjoy your coffee? ☕

I asked the ChatGPT AI assistant about the different or "unusual" ways people drank coffee instead of the typical cream and sugar.  This was the response.

1. Kopi Joss (Indonesia):

   • This is coffee with a twist—literally. A piece of burning charcoal is dropped into the coffee, giving it a unique flavor and reducing acidity.

2. Egg Coffee (Vietnam):

   • Known as Cà Phê Trứng, this concoction blends coffee with a creamy mixture of egg yolk and condensed milk, creating a rich, custard-like topping.

3. Cheese Coffee (Sweden):

   • Called Kaffeost, it's coffee poured over chunks of cheese called juustoleipä. The cheese softens and absorbs the coffee, making for a unique, chewy treat.

4. Cascara Coffee (Global):

   • Made from the dried husks of coffee cherries, this drink is brewed like tea and has a fruity, slightly sweet flavor, different from typical coffee.

5. Civet Coffee (Kopi Luwak, Indonesia):

   • This controversial and expensive coffee is made from beans that have been eaten and excreted by civet cats. The fermentation process in the cat's digestive system is said to enhance the flavor.

6. Bulletproof Coffee (Global):

   • This high-calorie coffee is blended with butter and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, popularized by the ketogenic diet for its purported energy-boosting effects.

7. Lemon Coffee (Italy):

   • Known as Espresso Romano, this involves serving espresso with a slice of lemon, which is believed to enhance the coffee's flavor.

8. Mazagran (Portugal):

   • An iced coffee drink that combines coffee with lemon juice or lemonade, sometimes with a splash of rum.

9. Soya Sauce Coffee (Japan):

   • In some regions, coffee is flavored with soy sauce to add a savory twist to the drink.

10. Spiced Coffee (Middle East)

    • In countries like Saudi Arabia and Turkey, coffee is often brewed with spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves for a rich, aromatic flavor.

Coffee is a versatile beverage that can be enjoyed in countless ways. 

The More You Learn About Coffee, the More You Love Coffee https://t.co/jdofe5t29C

— Everyday Exotic Spices Presents Food Ways (@EverydaySpices) January 4, 2025

☕☕☕☕☕

Exotic Fruit: Do You Heart Persimmons?

Fuyu Persimmon Diospyros kaki 'Fuyu'
~ Other Common Name(s): Fuyu Kaki

Fuyu persimmon is a fruit that ripens in the fall season and should be included in the American cornucopia or “horn of plenty”. It is sweet and has a beautiful color! It makes for a beautiful ornamental plant. It attracts birds, so you might want to put a cage around it.

There are two other varieties of the persimmon that I know of: Cinnamon Persimmons (also called Percinnamons); and Hachiya Persimmons. This fruits is native to China and Japan.  But there is also an American persimmon.

• "Putchamin is the Algonquin Indian word from which we get persimmon, and it appears from a report by Hernando de Soto in 1541 that Indians in the Mississippi region made it into “bread”. The variety of persimmon enjoyed by these intrepid explorers and early settlers is what we now call Diospyros virginiana." (Source: Pioneers and Persimmons | The Old Foodie)

• According to folklore, if you crack open a persimmon seed from a ripe fruit and the shape inside (called a cotyledon) looks like a fork, winter will be mild; if you see a spoon, there will be a lot of snow, and if there is a knife, winter will be bitingly cold and “cut like a knife.” (Source: Farmer's Almanac)

• In the Buddhist religion, persimmons are a symbol of transformation. In China, they are an auspicious gift to newlyweds to celebrate eternal love. (Source: Real Food Encyclopedia | Persimmons | FoodPrint)

You can make cookies, pies, breads, and jam with it. Slice or dice tme like apples and you can put them in salads, if you like fruit in your salad. Instead of apples with your roasted pork, substitute persimmons. You can dehydrate them and eat them like chips!

• FUN FOOD FACT: You can freeze persimmons whole. Then when ready to eat, take them out of the freezer, let stand for 20 minutes to soften up, cut off the the top, take a spoon and DIVE IN!

Here are some wonderful recipes collected by Yummy Mummy Kitchen and Martha Stewart.

20 Persimmon Recipes  

12 Persimmon Recipes Everyone Should Make This Fall ~ 

Original source

Foodie Nuggets: Indian Food for Diabetics

Do you like Indian food? I watch a lot of cooking shows and videos. One thing I noticed about Indian cooking is that they really know how to blend herbs and spices and do amazing things to enhance the flavor of vegetables. Whether the veggies are cooked or eaten raw in a salad, they are so tasty.

Methi Sprouts Salad Recipe - Delicious Diabetic Snack by Archana's Kitchen

FOLLOW THIS FOOD BLOG FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES:

Foodie Nuggets: Gourmet Sleuth is an Excellent Cooking Resource (Bye Bye!) [UPDATE]

UPDATE March 2025: APOLOGIES. Bad news I'm afraid. I don't know what happened. But this foodie website no longer exists. The domain name is available and is being used by another owner and it is not food-related.  The best I could do is find sites like the "old" Gourmet Sleuth used to be.  Sorry.

  

***

Have you ever had a recipe that required a certain ingredient but that particular ingredient is not readily available where you live OR if it is available, it's really expensive.  This website called Gourmet Sleuth will share ingredients that you can substitute.  For example:

• If you don't have radicchio, use endive or arugula.
• If you don't have jack fruit, use plantains, summer squash or papaya. 

If the recipe calls for something exotic like Bhutanese Red Rice, you can substitute Black rice or brown rice.  (Found a recipe at a site other than Gourmet Sleuth.)

"Bhutanese Red Rice is a partially-milled short grain rice grown in the Himalayan mountains." 

You can easily look up what you need as the ingredients are arranged in alphabetical order.

The site also has HAD a blog and shares recipes, conversions, and articles.  Because I am interested in world cuisine, I really like the article section titled "Ethnic, Unique Foods, Ingredients".  Could not find another site.  Can only refer you to Amazon.  (Not like that's a bad thing.  There's actually some pretty cool stuff there. 😀)

Substituting Ingredients: The A to Z Kitchen Reference (Must-Have Kitchen Essential with 1,000 Easy-to-Find, Healthy, and Cheap Substitutions)

Foodie Nuggets: Cabbages (Without Kings)

If you are familiar with the 1904 novel by O. Henry, then you know it's not about collecting cabbage recipes for kings. 😊  It's just that in my high school Literature class we studied short stories and O. Henry was one of the writers we learned about. It was the year I learned that I liked short stories much better than reading books. You got to the ending quicker! 😊  

• Cabbages and Kings is a novel by O. Henry, a collection of short stories about political intrigue and corruption in a fictional Central American country. The title comes from the poem "The Walrus and the Carpenter" in Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll.  (SOURCE)

OK.  Back on point.  This food blurb is about cabbage recipes. 

If your goal is to eat more green leafy vegetables and you like cabbage anyway, then you'll probably enjoy this recipe. It's made with ground beef, but I vary it and use ground chicken or turkey. Also, I omit the cheese topping. For me, that's unnecessary extra calories. You could use a breadcrumb topping as a substitute or no topping at all. You might be able to also vary this recipe using escarole, napa cabbage, collards, or Swiss chard, instead of cabbage. You might try purple cabbage instead of green. Purple veggies are just as good as green!

Cabbage Roll Casserole Recipe | EatingWell

* * *

Eating Well is an excellent website. I subscribe to it. You find cooking tips and health tips. Here is a link to more cabbage recipes. If you're trying to lose weight, try the cabbage diet soup.

MORE Food Blurbs at Food Ways: 

• 100 Healthiest Foods ~ Is Your Favorite Food on the List?
• 3 Spices for a Long Life
• 5 Exotic Spices
• 6 Spices For Indian Cuisine
• Name the Sexy Spices
• Medical Advice About Super foods
• Top 10 List of Superfoods
• WARNING: Delicacies Can Be Dangerous!

When You Say 'Eat Healthy', I Think 'Eat Salad'

People (especially me) always associate healthy eating with salad. My mother rarely served salads with our meals. They were meat, starch, and vegetables. She never served us a salad (like lettuce and tomatoes), nor did we get dessert. We didn't complain. I got used to not eating salad.  

Then I became an adult and went to university and found out that salad was "expected".  Except for this one guy that I knew.  He kept saying salad was "rabbit food" and wouldn't eat it.  Not me.  When I went to the cafeteria I could eat as much salad as I wanted.  And I did!  Do you know why?  Because it was "healthy" and I could eat a lot of it!  It was one of the few foods that I could eat a healthy amount of and I didn't gain weight.  

So whenever I gained a few extra pounds because I was wolfing down too many pizzas with my friends late at night, I went on a diet and ate salads for lunch and dinner for the next two weeks. The pounds came off easily. That was THEN (1970s). This is now (2021). The pounds don't come off so easily now, but I still enjoy eating salads. I also enjoy collecting salad recipes and sharing them. I hope you like these!

Image Credit: Acacia Wood Salad Bowl with Servers Set - Large 9.4 inches Solid Hardwood Salad Wooden Bowl with Spoon for Fruits ,Salads and Decoration by AVAMI ( https://amzn.to/3vmT57c )

* * *

Ever have Tabouli salad?  “Tabouli is a traditional Levitan recipe, which is the common name for the area of Eastern Mediterranean sea. … Tabouli is derived from the word, “Tabil” which means spice. Its also translated as “Dip” ...”

Tabouli Recipe with Amaranth Grain | Healing Tomato Recipes

* * *

"This classic salad pairs well with a variety of Japanese or Asian mains. Best of all, it is packed with nutrients, making it an all-star side dish. There is plenty of variations to enjoy this recipe too! ..."  

Chrysanthemum Greens and Tofu Salad (Shungiku Shiraae) 春菊の白和え • Just One Cookbook

~ Related Link:  15 Easy Japanese Salad Recipes ~ "... 15 tasty, vibrant, healthy, easy-to-follow salad recipes ..."

* * *

Do you like Indian food? I watch a lot of cooking shows and videos. One thing I noticed about Indian cooking is that they really know how to blend herbs and spices and do amazing things to enhance the flavor of vegetables. Whether the veggies are cooked or eaten raw in a salad, they are so tasty. 

Methi Sprouts Salad Recipe - Delicious Diabetic Snack by Archana's Kitchen

* * *

Anybody who says that salad is just  an refuses to eat  is missing out. 

Kale Sprouts and Apricot Dressing | Sproutpeople

* * *

Final share.  I know some people don't like kale. They complain that it's too tough and chewy for a green leafy vegetable. So, just in case you don't like eating kale, here are some “kale substitutes”.  Use them instead of sale and enjoy your salad anyway!

The Best Simple Kale Substitutes | Stonesoup

Similar Posts at This Blog:

• Choose Sides: How Do You Like Your Green Salad? Fruit or No Fruit

• Winter Salad Binging

"Pickled Ginger Salad with Wasabi Dressing is packed with citrus, and is an explosion of spicy, sweet and fresh flavors. It’s mind-blowingly delicious!"