Broccoli Salad

This dish is visually appealing and surprisingly delicious! I made it for the first time for some friends at a BBQ.

Ingredients:

• 1 broccoli head
• cherries (or even grapes)
• carrots
• feta cheese
• pine nuts
• red onion
• salami
• apple cider vinegar
• sugar
• mayonnaise
• salt & pepper

Cut up the broccoli head into small florets, put in bowl. cut off the stem and slice into thin slivers (make sure you shave the outer layer of the broccoli stem first, leaves, etc). cut up a few carrots into thin slivers, add to bowl. cut red cherries; cutting around the seed (you should get 3-4 slices out of each cherry). dice up about 1/3 of a red onion. Add about 1 cut of feta cheese. Slice salami into strips and add to bowl.

Dressing:

Add about 2 large spoonfuls of mayonnaise. Then, add about 2-3 tbsp of apple cider vinegar. Add about 1-2 tbsp of sugar. Mix well, then grind a few pinches of salt and pepper to taste.

(sorry, these measurements may not be exact, you have to add wet ingredients on how they look according to how much dry ingredients you have...hope that makes sense)

Cheese Ball

Ok I'm sure most of you know how to make a cheese ball.. but I figured I'd post it in case you don't! they are super easy and fast

depending on the size of your ball you want, I used 2 packages of cream cheese (fat free..no one can even tell). add 2 triangles of laughing cow swiss cheese(they are in the cheese isle in a small round container), parsley, 1/2 packet-1 packet of ranch dip seasoning, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese (keep adding the cheese until you get an even mix)..mix ingredients until well blended. Roll up your cheeses in a ball and roll in crushed walnuts (or whatever nuts you like). wrap in cellophane and store in fridge. serve with crackers.. like wheat thins or crackers hard enough to spread the cheese on it.

Poppy Seed Spinach Salad

This spinach salad recipe is the best I've come by and everyone loves it!

(this recipe is thanks to a girl named Tara)

Poppy Seed Dressing:

• 1c olive oil
• 2/3c apple cider vinegar
• 1tsp salt
• 3/4c sugar
• 2tsp poppy seed

*blend ingredients in blender/hand mixer for about 3 minutes..add poppy seed last and pulse in.

Salad

• 1 bag spinach
• 1/2 red onion
• feta cheese
• 1-2 avacados
• red or yellow grape tomatoes
• carmelized slivered almonds:

add about 1 1/2 c almonds to 1c sugar and roast on pan on med heat on the stove until sugar carmelizes. stir frequently then place on wax paper to cool. one cool, break up and add to salad!

add desired amount of dressing to prepared salad and you will be in heaven :)

Bolinhos

This is a common appetizer or side dish in Brasil. Very easy to make!

First, you make some mashed potatoes. I assume everyone can make mashed potatoes, but if not..here you go :

cut and peel potatoes and boil. I use a masher I got from Brasil, but you can mash them however you please. I like to mash them so they are fine and creamy. Add milk, sour cream, and garlic salt...mix. Let cool.

Dough:

mix cooled mashed potatoes with flour until you get a dough like consistency. Roll into long strips, that looks like a long snake. cut into 1/2in to 1 in balls..add a little more flour to coat the balls. Heat oil in a fryer. Add a few balls and wait until golden brown, add parmesan cheese and COMER BEM!