2-1-1

Not to be confused with 9-1-1! But this is how we help our MOM remember the recipe.

I do buy some salad dressings, but if I want a simple vinegrette that won't mask the flavors of my actual salad ingredients, then this is what I turn to. It is so simple!

2 - oil (we usually use olive oil, but vegetable oil will do)
1 - apple cidar vinegar
1 - sugar

And add salt and pepper!

This recipe works well with a Tablespoon measurement (2T oil, 1T vinegar and 1T sugar). But we have been known to use a 1/4 cup and double the oil (1/2 cup), then one 1/4 cup vinegar and one 1/4 cup sugar.


This recipe is one of our Grandma Garvin's and certainly a keeper! In the summer when tomatoes are at their best we like to make a salad of baby lettuces, romas and red onion...yum!

If we have Garlic Garni (it's a seasoning) we will add a scant teaspoon to the dressing. Garlic Garni comes from Gilroy, CA...the garlic capital!

Kale Chips...a close second to popcorn?

This summer we have enjoyed snacking on kale chips. They are crispy, salty and so delicious. My girls love them almost as much as popcorn! (And do we love popcorn.)

These are simple to make:

1 bunch of kale

EVOO

Salt and Pepper

Wash the kale -- I am sure to inspect each leaf, otherwise you may be eating more than just a leafy green! Then dry -- I use a salad spinner. Spread the kale on a cookie sheet and drizzle with evoo, salt and pepper. Give it a little toss then into a 400 oven for about 10 min. This picture here is of the kale before cooking -- I think we ate it up before I could get a final photo.

** do not try to cook two cookie sheets on the top and bottom racks -- that kale burns to shrivles! (laura - did i spell that right?)

You Scream, I Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream

What is the 4th of July without homemade ice cream?

We took the vanilla recipe from our ice cream maker book and turned it into Mint Chocolate. I must say...delish!

Mint Chocolate:

2 cups whole milk

1 cup sugar

1/4 tsp salt

4 cups light or table cream

2 T. vanilla

4 -5 sprigs of fresh peppermint leaves

1 large dark chocolate candy bar

Scald milk with mint leaves. Let sit for a few minutes, then remove leaves. Add sugar and salt to warm milk and stir until disolved. Add the cream. Stir in the vanilla. Cool. Turn into the ice cream maker - this took approximately 30 minutes. Then we stirred in the grated chocolate bar.

Enjoy!