~A Promotion in My Kitchen~

Drizzled with Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

Winter here in Massachusetts has been harsh & quite trying at times. The Boston area has had a harder time than we in Western MA.  I was watching the Boston College basketball game last week & was surprised when I heard one of the ACC commentators say that Boston always has these extreme weather conditions.  Woah!  He must have cut way too many Geography classes in high school.

My "Bubble Charts"

Sprinkled in with weekly snowstorms was scheduled cataract surgeries & Eye Dr. appointments.  I lived by my "Bubble Charts" that were given to me by my wonderful Ophthalmologist.  Keeping track of needed Rx eye drops was much easier.  Then, an unexpected surprise!  Breaking a finger in my right hand.  So, as time moves on, my vision is now so clear & distinct!  Woohoo!  And, I'm typing with my left hand.  Both my grandson & I are learning how to print- but he's right handed.  :)

Now, a girl's gotta eat!  Her DH, too!  That brings the promotion in the kitchen.  Jim's been cooking!  My blog sure comes in handy to continue eating healthy foods that are easy to prep.  So my friends, that's why there's been a lack of foodie posts lately.

Simple is good!  We enjoy dinner salads in the warm summer months, & this is one yummy salad that's  drizzled with Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette.  We're enjoying it this winter!  Defrosting the cooked frozen medium sized shrimp in the microwave was a new adventure, too.

Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette 

Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Olive Oil for salads & marinades
1/4 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
Dash Black Pepper
1 Tablespoon Raspberry Jam or Jelly

 ***Salad Dressing Mixing/ Shaking Container

Method:

1.   Place Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar in shaker container.
2.   Add dash of Black Pepper.
3.   Add 1 Tablespoon Raspberry Jam or Jelly.
4.   Place cover on container.
5.   Shake, shake, shake & shake again.  Repeat until jam/ jelly is dissolved.
6.    Drizzle over salad.
7.    Enjoy!

Store Vinaigrette in fridge.  About 1/2 hour before using again, remove from fridge & sit on counter.  Shake, shake, shake & shake again before using.  This small batch is made often.  It's delicious!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Blueberry or Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

With a drizzle of Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

The flavor started to grow on me!  Balsamic Vinaigrette!  I'm not sure when, but whenever we ate dinner out this dressing was my choice for salads.  Then, I purchased a bottle of a commercial brand for my salads at home.  When I discovered the OXO Salad Dressing Shaker for making/ storing salad dressings, I purchased one.  That's how it all started.  Balsamic Vinaigrette is quite simple to prepare.  The ingredients are placed into a container & shake, shake, shake and shake again.  Repeat if necessary!

Then one evening while dining out I enjoyed Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette.  Oh, the sweetness combined with the tang & flavor of raspberries!  Yum, yum, yum!

Now fast forward... it's Blueberry season!  Blueberry Freezer Jam time, too!  Last night I took out the handy green OXO Salad Dressing Shaker and made another delicious Balsamic Vinaigrette - Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette.  Drizzled over our cold grilled chicken salad plate it was delicious!

Grilled Chicken Chunks Salad
with Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

 

 

 

 

I haven't purchased dressings in quite a few months, because I'm totally hooked on Balsamic Vinaigrette.  What can be better than a dressing made with Olive Oil???   And making it yourself???  And controlling the ingredients???

About 20- 25 minutes before using a Balsamic Vinaigrette, I take it out of the fridge to warm it up a bit, before shaking it & drizzling.  Then back into the fridge it goes. 

Blueberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Olive Oil for salads & marinades
1/4 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
Dash Black Pepper
1 Tablespoon Blueberry Jam or Jelly

***Salad Dressing Mixing/ Shaking Container

Method:

1. Place Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar in shaker container.
2. Add dash of Black Pepper.
3. Add 1 Tablespoon Blueberry Jam or Jelly.
4. Place cover on container.
5. Shake, shake, shake & shake again.  Repeat.
6. Drizzle over salads.

For Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette use Raspberry Jelly.

Do you enjoy the taste of a Balsamic Vinaigrette?  Try it, you'll like it!  Plain, Blueberry or Raspberry!  A little drizzled over a salad goes a long way!

Enjoy!
Yummy!