Rainbow Salad

We love salads at our house and we eat them almost everyday. Some of our favorites include a spicy Chinese chicken salad, our best pasta salad and or a tasty green salad with avocado olive oil dressing.

And this week I made this creation...Rainbow Salad.

It's full of all the stuff that is good for you with veggies in all the colors of the rainbow!

And I will let you in on a little secret... you see my husband and son are not fond of cooked vegetables.

So one of my little tricks to get them to eat more veggies is to make a fresh salad almost every day.

And guess what? It totally works.They love a fresh, crunchy salad.

This recipe was totally inspired by grocery day. You know...when you get home from shopping for groceries and there is all this delicious-looking produce?

I noticed the beautiful colors of everything that I was putting on the counter and decided right then and there that it needed to be made into a salad.

To make this salad, start with fresh veggies in every color.

{And if they happen to come from your garden, you lucky duck!}

Rainbow Salad

{makes a big bowl}

Ingredients:

-one head fresh romaine lettuce, washed and chopped

-one cup shredded carrot

-one zucchini squash, diced

-one English cucumber, diced

-one red pepper, quartered and cut into small strips

-one yellow pepper, quartered and cut into small strips

-one bunch green onions, chopped

-3-4 tomatoes, chopped

- Add or subtract any veggies you like. Fresh green peas/green/yellow beans/radishes would also work well!

To make:

1. In a large bowl, add the romaine lettuce.

2. Toss in the rest of the vegetables. 

3. Add salt & pepper to taste.

4. Serve with your family's favorite dressing. I served it with a balsamic vinaigrette, but you could also serve ranch or Italian or whatever you like! I often leave a salad 'naked' and let each of my family choose the dressing they would like and add it directly to their salad bowl. I find it keeps everyone happier this way!

I served this salad with grilled burgers on night when it was sweltering outside, and this cool, crunchy salad hit the spot perfectly. 

And if you leave a salad 'naked', it can refrigerate beautifully for the next day without going soggy!

And leftovers for lunch are always awesome!

This post is linked to:
Inspiration Gallery, I'm Lovin' It, Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons, The Weekend Re-Treat The Party Bunch,  Tatertots and Jello, Link Party Palooza,  Block Party, Take A Look Tuesday,

Double Orange Muffins & Giveaway For A $100 Walmart Gift Card to Celebrate Walmart Canada's 20th Anniversary

Now that summer vacation is here and I don't have two teenagers rushing off to school in the morning, I like making fresh muffins for them to enjoy...something that they don't have time for during busy school mornings. Fresh muffins are such a treat and they disappear quickly in my house. These Double Orange Muffins have some nutritious ingredients in them...oranges, oat bran, flax seed, carrots and oatmeal...along with a streusal topping, which makes for tender and delicious muffins.

These muffins are easy to mix up too, especially if you buy a bag of shredded carrot from the grocery store.

And the orange juice and carrots keep them moist and they are perfect with a bit of butter too!

Double Orange Muffins

{makes 12 muffins}

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup oat bran

1/4 cup ground flax seed

3 tbsp. packed brown sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

2 eggs

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

1/2 can Minute Maid® Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate, thawed

1 cup finely shredded carrot

Streusel Topping:

3 tbsp. large-flake rolled oats

1 tbsp. packed brown sugar

1 tbsp. all-purpose flour

1 tbsp. cold butter

1 tbsp. finely shredded carrot

To Make:

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. In large bowl, whisk together flour, oat bran, flax seed, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ginger and cinnamon. 

3. In separate bowl, whisk together eggs, yogurt, thawed orange juice concentrate and 1 tbsp. water until smooth. Pour over dry ingredients and mix until just combined. 

4. Stir in carrot. Divide among 12 greased muffin cups.

5. Streusel Topping: Stir together oats, sugar and flour. Rub in butter with fingertips until mixture is coarse crumbs. Mix in carrot. Divide over tops of muffins. 

6. Bake in 350 degree oven until muffins spring back when pressed, about 15 minutes.

*recipe from the Canadian Living Test Kitchen & Minute Made Orange Juice

Although baking is a year round affair in our house, I especially love summer baking with the endless combinations of fresh fruit made into tasty cobblers, pies, and crisps. 

Yummy! I often have to stock up on many ingredients such as flour, oats, baking powder, chocolate chips and more. 

And my favorite place to stock up and save is Walmart. Walmart is celebrating it's 20th Anniversary in Canada, and it has been my go-to place for shopping for my family for years.

 I loved going there when my now 17 year-old daughter was an infant for cute baby girl clothes.

And when she started school, she was a big fan of the Mary Kate & Ashley line of clothing, only found at Walmart. 

Walmart has been my favorite place for one-stop Christmas shopping for my children with it's huge assortment of toys, clothes, movies and craft supplies. 

When we need camping supplies, we go to Walmart. And when we need groceries, birthday party supplies, or new pajamas, we head to Walmart. Walmart knows that it costs a lot to raise a family and wants to help Canadians save money and live better. 

As a special thank you to Canada, Walmart is giving one of my readers a Walmart gift card valued at $100! 

That is $100 that you can use to help make your summer more awesome!

To Enter To Win a Walmart Gift Card valued at $100:

1. You must be 18 years of age or older and live in Canada. {Except void where prohibited.}

2. Please leave a comment sharing how Walmart has helped your family save money and live better.

Please make sure that there is a valid email address attached to your comment so that I can contact you if you are the winner.

3. One entry per person.

4. Giveaway open from Wednesday, July 1, to Saturday, July 5, 2014 at midnight MST.

Good luck!

This post is linked to:
Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons,  Tidy Mom,  Weekend Re-Treat Linky Party,  Tatertots and Jello, Link Party Palooza, Monday Funday, Under The Table & Dreaming, It's Overflowing, Block Party, The Scoop, Time To Sparkle, The Party Bunch, 

Chex Trail Mix Bars

When summer comes, we like to hit the road for day trips, fishing trips or camping trips and all those other things that the season is all about. We are always up for any adventure that gets us outside to enjoy the gorgeous weather.

And it seems that we are always in needs of snacks to keep us fueled for whatever the day brings. 

One of our favourite go-to homemade & healthy snacks are trail mix bars, which I make in a large 9x13 pan and cut into large pieces and wrap in wax paper. These bars are a delicious blend of crunchy, salty, and sweet and are also very addictive too! 

Chex cereal is the base for these crazy good bars. I love using Chex because it is gluten-free which means that my daughter, who is gluten-sensitive, can enjoy them as well. And with other healthy ingredients like dried fruit, they can also double as a breakfast or lunch if needed. They are easy to mix up and lend themselves well to a whole range additions such as hemp, chia seeds and almost healthy add in you like.

Chex Trail Mix Bars

{makes a 9 x13 pan}

3-4 cups Chex cereal

1 cup shredded coconut

1  1/2 cups muesli mix

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup craisins

1/2 cup chocolate chips

3/4 cup coconut oil

1. Butter a 9 x 13 pan. Set aside. In large pot, melt coconut oil completely. Add Chex cereal, coconut, muesli mix, raisins, craisins, and chocolate chips.

2.  Mix all ingredients gently until they are complete coated in melted coconut oil.

3. Pour into 9 x 13 pan and pat gently. Let cool completely. The coconut oil should return to a solid state and hold everything together. Cut into bars. Wrap in waxed paper if desired.

 These bars are a little crumbly, but that just makes them extra good to eat!

I really like to make a batch or two of these bars to take camping because they are really satisfying and fill up my busy fisherman when they are in a hurry to get out on the lake. 

Plus, when you make bars at home, you have complete control over the ingredients and know exactly what goes into them. Chex is a healthy alternative to use as a base for these bars, which is full of nutritious foods. And when kept in a covered container or tin, these bars hold up well and don't dry out easily...which is perfect for busy summer days!

If you are looking for more camping recipes, 

don't forget to check out my Pinterest board full of recipes  HERE.

Disclosure: I am part of the Summer With Chex Blogger Campaign with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

 

This post is linked to:
Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons,  Tidy Mom,  Weekend Re-Treat Linky Party,  Tatertots and Jello, Link Party Palooza,  Monday Funday, Under The Table & Dreaming, It's Overflowing, Block Party, The Scoop, Time To Sparkle, The Party Bunch, 

Grilled Curry Pork Burgers

Hello friends! Are we are grilling lots of meals now that the season is here? I hope so! We are grilling a few times a week and I am loving not having to wash pots! I have the most amazing recipe and fun twist on burgers to share with you! I created this recipe out of being tired of the same old burger-schmurgers. I took some ground pork and added in fresh tastes like green onion and fresh cilantro, and mixed in a little India with the help of Patak's sauces for a new taste sensation. These burgers taste delicious and smell so wonderful on the grill. We loved these so much that we had them for dinner two nights in a row. My husband, especially, was crazy over this fun twist on the regular old burger. 

These burgers are surprisingly easy to make with just 4 mix-ins that really heighten the flavour of ground meat. In just minutes, you can have these burgers ready for the grill, and when they are finished, add all the groceries you want such as cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, etc. To give these burgers their unique depth of flavour, I added two Patak's sauces...Tandoori Curry Paste and Mild Curry Paste.

These two pastes really work together to make this burger ooze with juicy flavour.
And with a swipe of mayo and Patak's Sweet Mango Chutney on the bun, you have the perfect blend of spiciness and sweetness.

So without further ado, here is the recipe.

Grilled Curry Pork Burgers
{makes 8 burgers}

Ground pork to make 8 burgers. {I used  regular size packages of ground pork.}

3 green onions, sliced

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

1 heaping tablespoon Patak's Tandoori Paste

1 heaping tablespoon Patak's Mild Curry Paste

Sliced lettuce

Sliced tomato

Mayo

Patak's Sweet Mango Chutney

To make:

1. Stir all ingredients in a bowl until well mixed.

2. Form into patties.

3. Cook on hot grill until juices run clear and meat is thoroughly cooked. Add cheese if you like.

4. Serve on buns with mayo and Patak's Sweet Mango Chutney, lettuce and tomato.

This really is delicious summertime food! Serve with a side of chips and a cool drink for a great & easy meal...perfect for busy families.

And here are some of my other creations with Patak's cooking sauces that are perfect for summer:

Chicken Paninis

Crispy Curry Potato Skins

Grilled Curry & Lime Pork Kabobs

To see more amazing recipes made with Patak's products,  including appetizers, salads, main courses and desserts, please go HERE.

Disclosure: I am part of Patak's Ambassador program with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

This post is linked to:
Monday Funday, The Creative Collection,  Our Sunday Best Showcase,  The Scoop, Home Stories A to Z, Gingersnap Crafts, The DIY Dreamer, Work It Wednesday, I`m Lovin` It, Inspiration Gallery, Weekend Retreat, The Party Bunch, Tatertots & Jello, Link Party Palooza, Under The Table & Dreaming,

Jelly Donut Ice Cream Bowls

When the warmer weather hits, one thing that my kids ask me to add to the grocery list each week is ice cream. We love ice cream and my husband, especially, is known for having a bowl after dinner for dessert. I love how ice cream can be the base for so many different dessert creations, like these delicious Jelly Donut Ice Cream Bowls, courtesy of Smucker's®. And not only are they easy to make, but are a wonderful take on the jelly donut. These little bowls, perfect for kids or adults, taste so good!

Did you know that I grew up in rural Nova Scotia, and never experienced the delights of an ice cream truck until I was 36 years old? Yes. It's true. When we moved in 2005 to a large city, we got to experience the giddy excitement hearing the music of the ice cream truck and running with the kids outside to choose a special ice cream treat. My son and daughter were 4 and 8 years old at the time and they could not believe that an ice cream truck could come right to the neighbourhood! It was like some sort of ice cream magic happening!

And now we know that one of the first signs of summer is hearing the faint, joyful music of the ice cream truck coming down the street. It is one of the best feelings in the world as a kid. Now my kids will be able to recall running to the ice cream truck as it turned the corner, spending their allowance or pleading to their Dad and I for an ice cream cone or other frozen treat. If you were fortunate enough to grow up in a large city, I am sure that you have some fond memories of the ice cream truck as a kid too. The Jelly Donut Ice Cream Bowl is a recreation of those classic ice cream truck treats, with fresh strawberries and scrumptious pieces of donuts-plus it is easy to make at home.

Jelly Donut Ice Cream Bowl  

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Makes: 1 sundae

Ingredients:

¼ cup (50 mL) chopped strawberries

¼ cup (50 mL) Smucker’s® Sundae Syrup^TM Strawberry Flavoured Syrup

¼ cup (50 mL) chopped glazed donuts

½ cup (125 mL) strawberry ice cream or frozen yogurt

Icing sugar

Additional strawberries for garnish

Directions:

·         Combine strawberries and strawberry syrup.

·         Top ice cream with donuts and strawberry topping.

·         Garnish with additional strawberries and icing sugar.

The excitement the ice cream truck song evokes in every kid (or kid at heart) never changes...and this summer, Smucker's­® is tapping into those fond memories by taking popular ice cream truck classics and showing Canadian families how to re-invent them at home.Along with this Jelly Donut Ice Cream Bowl recipe, Smucker's is sharing these other amazing recipes inspired by ice cream truck classics on Smuckers,ca including the Kitchen Sink Milkshake Float, Sweet & Salty Caramel Crunch Sundaes, and Magic Shell® Dipper Pops.

And as a busy mom, to me there is no easier dessert or treat to serve my family or guests in rhe summer than ice cream with Smucker's® Sundae Syrups™ and assorted fruit or other yummy add-ins. It's nice to know that when the ice cream truck is not around, many of the tasty classics can be created in our very own kitchen with help from Smucker's®.

Disclosure: This post was generously sponsored by Smucker's®. As always, I only partner with brands/products that I use and love in my own home. Smucker's® Sundae Syrups™ are a staple in our fridge. All opinions are my own.

 

This post is linked to:
Monday Funday, The Creative Collection,  Our Sunday Best Showcase,  The Scoop, Home Stories A to Z, Gingersnap Crafts, Savvy Southern Style, The DIY Dreamer, Work It Wednesday, I`m Lovin` It, Inspiration Gallery, Weekend Retreat, The Party Bunch, Tatertots & Jello, Link Party Palooza,

20 Best Tin Foil Packet Recipes for Camping & Grilling Season

Ok! Who's ready for camping season? Put up your hand if you are! It has finally arrived and we couldn't be happier! It's our favourite way of enjoying time together with meals outside, fishing in the mornings, swimming in the afternoons and campfires at night. And with camping season comes lots of delicious recipes that are perfect for grilling in tin foil. I love cooking in tin foil packets because it's a great way of keeping food moist and juicy AND if you make individual dinner packs, there are no dishes to wash!

With the help of the archives here at Echoes of Laughter and the Life Made Delicious site, I have put together this amazing collection of 20 recipes that include appetizers, dinners, vegetables, dips and desserts that are perfect for adding some tasty zip to your camping and grilling season.

I am sure that you will find a couple of family favourites here to enjoy this season!

Lumberjack Breakfast Pack

Grilled Chicken Pineapple Kabob Packs

Warm & Melty Cheese Dip

Grilled Cashew Asparagus Packet

Teriyaki Summer Vegetables Packets

Grilled Picnic Taco Nachos

Old West Grilled Bean & Burger Packs

Grilled Garden Vegetable Medley Packs

Smoky Cheddar Potato Pack

Grilled Sweet Potato & Pepper Packs

Potato Boat Dinner Packs

Grilled Honey Cumin BBQ Pork Packs

Grilled Caribbean Salmon Packs

Grilled Paprika Chicken Dinner Packs

Grilled Pesto Chicken Packs

Grilled Lemon & Herb Salmon Packs

Campfire Cheesecake Dip

Campfire S'mores Dip

Pineapple Upside Down Cake 

Tortilla Dessert Roll Ups

Wishing you a most delicious camping & grilling season!

Disclosure: I am a part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger Program and I receive special perks as a part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

The Scoop, Monday Funday,The Creative Collection,  Our Sunday Best Showcase,  The Scoop, I`m Lovin` It, Weekend Retreat, The Party Bunch,  Under The Table & Dreaming,