just razzing ya!

hello and happy top of the week to you! if you have been to shady hollow & visited my shoppe, you may have caught me taking a quick lunch break. and my go to choice is always a salad. actually...that is my go to choice ALL year long. bring on the leafy greens smothered in an array of fruit, feta and whatever sweet nut variety i can get my hands on. and if there's room...a helping of seasoned chicken is a welcome addition as well. oh. and don't forget the dressing. {plenty of it, thank you!}

last summer, one of the sweet neighbor girls showed up on my doorstep with a giant carton of overflow raspberries they were growing. i was happy to take the extras off her hands. i am looking forward to plump garden fresh varieties like that i was lucky enough to get {below}

my favorite dressings are fruity, zingy and super sweet. almost like a dessert for the main course if you will. i've been making my own version of a "semi-homemade" raspberry vinaigrette that gets rave reviews from my family + friends. so i'm going to share it today for those of you interested!

you will need...

* one bottle of kraft light raspberry vinaigrette

* one 12 ounce bag of frozen raspberries {or fresh if ya got 'em}

* raspberry wine vinegar

* honey...fruit preserves...sugar... just some sweet stuff.

* array of seasonings...read how to for more...

now that you have your supplies {below}

...grab yourself a blender and...

pour in entire bottle of dressing.

throw in 1/2 the bag of frozen raspberries. 

add 1/4 cup raspberry vinegar {i like it vinegary...adjust to your tastebuds}

time for the "sweet stuff". my sweet tooth never minds a heavy hand in this dept. 3 TABLEspoons of honey does the trick. or a couple spoonfuls of fruit preserves. sugar. you get the picture.

seasonings are subjective. as i guide i would recommend...

1-2 TABLEspoons of poppy seed

1-2 TABLEspoons of minced onion flakes

1-2 TABLEspoons crushed red pepper. oh wait. that's for my tastebuds. i not only like sweet but a raging amount of heat. you may want to cut that back. or add more which i will likely do.

little bit of salt and a dash of pepper does the trick.

blend on low speed til frothy and you're done. it's a thickened up...super fruity variety of dressing that is quite good for you. and definitely tasty! add to your greens {baby lettuces, spinach}. top with fruit on-hand. apples. grapes. banana. pear. pineapple. strawberries. blueberries. of course raspberries. any or all them will work. just get a bigger plate!

and like i mentioned...some seasoned chicken is always @ home here. add a sprinkle of feta cheese and finish with a nutty topper. {glazed walnuts anyone??} oh. and in my land...more pepper flakes. i want heat with the sweet!

room for dessert? leftover fresh raspberries? well then give this a try. white & choco chips stuffed into those berries {below}. i found on pinterest. courtesy of a fun blog by the name of saucy sprinkles.  - you're set! no razzing here! just sweets for the sweet! i can't wait to give it a whirl!

are your tastebuds tingling? mine are. infact...i think a salad may be on the menu for lunch again today. i never tire of it. and pretty sure i would enjoy a candy stuffed raspberry chaser too! i wonder how i can incorporate my pepper flakes into those?? 

make it a GREAT day!

Comments

[maggie raguse]

oh, you temptress, you....i am SALIVATING!! Can't wait 'til summer, and lots of u-pick berry farms to go visit here in oregon. yum. I'm going to have to try your jazzed up dressing.

maggie

[northern cottage]

mmm looks divine! I'm totally with ya on the sweet addition to salads - it makes it ALL THE BETTER! thanks for sharing this fun recipe! xo

www.NorthernCottage.net

[Julirrogers@hotmail .com]

Beth, not sure if U got my first message, New at this. You are in Flea Market mag. [summer2012] W/KI Nassauers

[show & TELL . . .]

hey there julie! i didn't see the first note but i did sure get this one! thanks for mentioning! i was thrilled to hear about the photo and honored they picked me to be a part of the ad! :)

sure appreciate you sharing!
:) beth