Easy & Beautiful Beet Salad

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A Farmers Market Run

Sunday morning started at 6:30am as my new ‘alarm’ clock (Mr Ruger) let me know it was potty time.

After Little Man fell back asleep mid-morning, I kenneled him (we are beginning his introduction to being kenneled) while off I ran for a quick peruse of St Paul Farmers Market. There was an abundance of beautiful produce from which to choose from, but fresh beets with beautiful greens attached caught my eye.
Wrapping up my shopping, I zipped home, just as Ruger was waking up and quickly set to work pulling lunch together for the family, (whom were due home any minute, and would be ravenous) if I know my family.

I like to be inspired by others creations, and after a quick internet search for beet greens I came upon a blog called ‘Sprouted Kitchen’ (click on the photo to be taken to the recipe) which sported a delicious looking salad which I then (as usual) modified to suit my needs.
I was in a time crunch, and I’m always tweeking recipes to fit what I have on hand, so I grilled my beets to save time and grabbed some pre-cooked quinoa from the fridge. Clean your beets thoroughly with a scrubby sponge, sliced them in to thick disks, olive oil/salt, and the grill on medium heat until tender crisp.
While the beets were gently grilling, I grabbed some frozen Salmon from the freezer (Costco sells an amazing frozen, individually wrapped, wild salmon that is quite convenient!) and got to work.

BEETS & GREENS CHOPPED SALAD

1 bunch of beets, greens tops removed, cleaned, and rough chopped; roots cleaned, sliced and grilled

olive oil for cooking

1/2 red onion

1 cup cooked and cooled quinoa

1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

 

Dressing

2 Tbsp tahini

2 Tbsp lemon juice

2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1-2 tsp honey

salt and pepper to taste

1 clove of garlic minced or put through a press

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 Tbsp finely chopped chives

While the beets were grilling, I put a little cast iron pan on the grill and toasted my pine nuts.
When the beets were done and cooling slightly, I tossed the beet greens with the dressing, and gently massaged the greens with my fingers.  Add the quinoa, pine nuts, red onion and toss. If adding salmon, season as you wish, throw that on the grill and cook. Top the salad with your desired protein.

Not only is this simple salad delicious, easy and fast, but beautiful to look at! It takes full advantage of the full beet, both root and tops.
Beets are wonderfully good for you. If you are looking for an alternative to the traditional beet and goat cheese salad, give this naturally gluten free salad a try.
Bon Appetite!

Fritos and Coffee

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Fritos and Coffee

Someone recently said ‘puppies feet smell like Fritos’.

What absolute brilliance! I had never, on earth, thought much of anything other than puppies have that ‘puppy’ smell that is utterly addictive. When she said ‘Dogs feet smell like Fritos’, there honestly had to be a cartoon light bulb over my head that lit up!  THAT’S why I snuggle him so much, and brave the challenge of putting my face within reach of those those needle sharp puppy teeth. I mean honestly,  if you’ve ever had a Frito, you know that you never eat just one!

Then I got to thinking about puppy breath. As kooky as that sounds, I dare anyone to say they don’t just LOVE puppy breath. There are those who don’t like dogs, but even the most callous of canine critic has to admit puppies smell good. In my opinion, it’s like standing over the crib of my newborn babies and drinking in the sweet smell that rises up from their pure, newly arrived little bodies. Just like that newborn smell, puppy breath is just….addictive. It’s not the smell of Fritos mind you, but certainly just as compelling and addictive.

Then it hit me the other morning while brewing a cup of rich, dark roast morning cup of coffee: Little Misters breath smells like my freshly brewed dark coffee!

Honestly, I feel like I’ve solved one of the mysteries of the Universe…

Why are puppies are like an addictive drug for the nose?
Answer: Fritos and Coffee.

Now, where’s my Nobel Prize?

Contentment

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Contentment

I can’t help but be envious, just a bit, of Ruger and his total and complete sense of contentment; his utter trust and faith that he is safe and sound in our care.

As humans, I feel we are all looking for that sense of peace that comes with complete trust and faith being placed in the hands of another. With age, hopefully comes some wisdom and some enlightenment. I’ve just celebrated 5 decades under my belt and the one thing I’ve come to realize is that the only one I can place complete trust and faith in is my God and His Son. Humanity, in it’s flawed and fallen state, will inevitably let me down. It’s not a criticism of any one human being, it’s just a result of living in a world separated from our true home. But there is One who will never let me down even if the world does, who will always love me even when no one else can, and who promises me that one day I will leave this earthly realm that groans under the weight of sin and see my true home, the place I truly belong.

And what a home that will be.

A welcoming party that will surpass the best of parties ever, as all my past and future canine companions, as well as the relatives, friends and family who have preceded me, welcome me to the ultimate place of happiness and contentment.

When I watch my puppy sleep, I catch a glimpse of that glorious and perfect contentment.

When I watch my puppy sleep, I am reminded of something someone wise told me once. Something I knew deep down in the core of me, where the Spirit resides and affirms basic truths. Something that sums up my love for these loyal, trusting, loving, happy, furry domesticated canine companions:

D-O-G G-O-D

Now THAT, is contentment.