Karen’s Opinion

How did Friday slip right past me?! Here are the questions for Four Foods on Friday. If you’d like to play along, visit Val’s blog at Funcraftsandrecipes dot com.

#1, Kelly’s question. What is your favorite memory associated with the smell of a certain food? As in, you smell it, close your eyes and are instantly drawn back to a magical moment in time….
Wow! This is a great question.
My Grandma Dyksterhuis, or Grandma D as we affectionately called her, lived in a cozy house that seldom changed. It was comfortable to know that when I visited, the big red chair was there and I could curl up and read her latest issue of Reader’s Digest. Her home had a pleasant smell. The smell of apples and peaches sitting in a boxes on her porch was heavenly. She canned her own fruits to share during cold winters. Now, whenever I visit the orchard, I am reminded of my Grandma D.

#2. Name something red that is in your cabinets.
Very old red hot candies used to decorate Christmas cookies.

#3. Ice. Do you have an ice maker, use ice cube trays or buy by the bag?We have an ice maker.

#4. Pepper. What kind do you use most often? Is it in a grinder or a shaker? I love the new grinders that you can buy at the grocery store. I am not sure what brand it is but it grinds coarse black pepper.

Today’s Four Foods on Friday talks about Memorial Day and how we might celebrate the holiday.

#1. Do you celebrate Memorial Day with a picnic, cookout, road trip or some other way?
We don’t have any set in stone plans as each year’s activities depend on whether we are attending the Indy 500 race or not. This year, my daughter and my husband are going to the race. I hope to get a bunch of sewing done that day.

#2. What are staples at your summer time cookouts? I love a juicy hamburger. We have a local butcher who cuts meat in his little grocery store, “Bill’s”. I like the flavor of the meat from his shop so much better than a chain grocery. Besides hamburgers and hot dogs, I think chips and watermelon are on the table too.

#3. What drink do you find most refreshing on a hot summer day? lemonade or water

#4. Share a recipe for a picnic side dish.

LETTUCE & CAULIFLOWER SALAD

1 head lettuce (I prefer heart of romaine)
1 head cauliflower
1 package frozen peas
Miracle Whip salad dressing approx 5 tablespoons
1 pkg dry ranch dressing
1 red onion chopped

pull lettuce into small pieces to make 2 cups
chop cauliflower into bite size pieces use approx 1/2 head
add all ingredients and toss
refrigerate

I found this recipe for Creamy Chopped Cauliflower Salad at Eating Well and I am anxious to try it.

Creamy Chopped Cauliflower Salad

Makes 6 servings, about 1 cup each
Ingredients

5 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 small shallot, finely chopped
½ teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
3 cups chopped cauliflower florets (about ½ large head)
2 cups chopped heart of romaine
1 tart-sweet red apple, chopped
eating well Creamy Chopped Cauliflower Salad Ingredients Cont.

eating well Creamy Chopped Cauliflower Salad Instructions

Whisk mayonnaise, vinegar, shallot, caraway seeds (if using) and pepper in a large bowl until smooth. Add cauliflower, romaine and apple; toss to coat.
eating well Creamy Chopped Cauliflower Salad Instructions Cont.

eating well Creamy Chopped Cauliflower Salad Nutrition Information

Per serving: 54 calories; 2 g fat (0 g sat, 0 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 9 g carbohydrate; 2 g protein; 2 g fiber; 128 mg sodium; 257 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (53% daily value), Vitamin A (22% dv), Folate (15% dv).
1/2 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat

Hurray for Fridays! We are leaving this Friday afternoon for our son’s college graduation on Saturday. He has earned his master’s degree in communications. I have no idea what the weather is supposed to be like on Saturday so I hope I have packed the right clothing. If the weather is nice, the ceremony will be outdoors.

Anyway, back to my favorite thing to do on Friday. Fridays mean it is time for Four Foods on Friday and here are this week’s questions:

#1. blueyes’ question. What’s your favorite seafood recipe?
I don’t really have a recipe but I do love crab. I have no idea how to cook it so when I get a chance to order it at a restaurant I am happy!

#2. Italian Ice. Like it, love it or leave it?
What is Italian Ice?

#3. What’s your favorite crunchy food? (anything – pickles, chips, fruit, etc.)
I love Doritos. If I open the bag, I can eat the whole thing. Yes, I am addicted to Doritos.

#4. Have you ever eaten so much of something that you felt or got sick?
I don’t think I have ever eaten that much of anything. If I have, I don’t remember doing it.

This has been a long week! My husband has been home for the past two days. The job we had scheduled for those days postponed their installation and so the guys worked around the shop (aka our home). I am glad to have those things done but I am in need of my quiet time. The guys like to have noise while they work. I am so glad tomorrow is Friday! Enough whining and on with important issues! Four Foods on Friday!

Here are this week’s four questions.

#1. What’s your favorite green food?
I absolutely love chocolate mint chip ice cream.

#2. Do you eat anything special on St Patrick’s Day?
We usually have corned beef, cabbage and new potatoes.

#3. Do you drink any Irish beverages – tea, coffee, ale, beer, etc?
Nope.

#4. Share a recipe for corned beef.
I like to cook corned beef in the crock pot. I add the little red, new potatoes and cabbage. Cook all day!

Good Golly Miss Molly! It is Friday! With Friday come Four Foods on Friday. Thanks to Val at Fun Crafts and Recipes.

Here are this Friday’s questions:

#1. What’s the oddest thing you’ve ever made with bread? My husband and I made a candy cane with bread. It was yummy.

#2. What’s the oddest thing you’ve ever done with mac and cheese or pasta? I remember making a candle holder and decorating it with pasta.

#3. Is there a food you eat other then it is intended? I really can’t think of anything. Of course, when I read other responses I will think Oh yeah! why didn’t I think of that! LOL

#4. What’s the weirdest food you’ve ever seen? I saw them eating chicken feet on a television show. Yucko.