Hi Friends! I’m Natalie Mason. I live in Charleston, SC and I am mom to Sterling 12 , Frances Moon 8 and our mini golden doodle Dolly.

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End of Summer Salad + Recent Trader Joe’s Favorites

Sep 28, 2017

I made this salad a few weeks ago and had a few requests to share it.  It was basically my attempt to use up some veggies from my Farmers Market trip.  It actually turned out great, the combination of crisp pita chips, ripe tomatoes, sweet corn, peppery arugula, zucchini and pesto was on point.  This can be made ahead of time but wait until right before serving to toss it all together.  We had this with grilled steaks and it was such a great end of Summer meal.  It would also be great with chicken or shrimp as well.  The homemade pita chips really make the salad so much better than store bought.  I always make a big batch and keep it in a ziploc baggy.  Enjoy!

END OF SUMMER SALAD

2 cups arugula

1 cup cherry tomatoes halved

4 ears of corn

2 zucchinis julienned

1/2 cup feta

homemade pita chips (see below- you will need olive oil and everything but the bagel seasoning)

1/4 cup pesto

juice of one lemon

3-4 tablespoons  olive oil

 

Shuck the corn, wrap all the peeled ears in foil and place in 350 degree oven.  Bake about 15-20 minutes until slightly tender.  Once cooled cut the kernels off.

Use a vegetable peeler and peel the zucchini into strips, you could also use a spiralizer.

Break 2-3 multigrain flat breads or pita into chunks.  Toss with olive oil and spread on a baking sheet.  Sprinkle with Everything but the Bagel Seasoning (from Trader Joes).  Bake at 350 degrees 10 minutes.

In a bowl whisk together pesto, olive oil and lemon juice.  Season with salt and pepper.

In a large bowl spread the arugula over the bottom then top with tomatoes, feta, zucchini, corn, and pita chips.  Toss all with pesto vinaigrette before serving.

 

T R A D E R  J O E S    R E C E N T   F A V O R I T E S

I have had several requests to share some of my recent Trader Joe’s favorites. I love that place.  I am always finding new things that I love.

Butternut Squash Zig Zags– I toss these with olive oil and salt and pepper and roast them.  The kid’s think they are french fries and gobble them up = winning.  I love them too they are really tasty.

Chili Lime Seasoning + Everything But The Bagel Seasoning– 2 spices I love.  They are seriously good on everything from meat to eggs to avocado.

Cauliflower Crust Pizza– now I am not gonna tell you this is the best pizza but for a bread free pizza it is not bad.  I am trying to eat fewer carbs these days and this is a good easy option.   I always add a little fresh mozzarella to the top before I bake it.

Dark Chocolate honey Mints– only 3 ingredients and so good.

Steamed Lentils– I love these they are already cooked so they are perfect to toss into salads.  I use them frequently for this lentil salad recipe.

Vegetable Fried Rice– this came highly recommended by my sister.  So many people commented this was great with fried eggs over top.

Multi colored carrots– I  love these mainly because they are pretty.  They are great to put out wth hummus when entertaining.  I also like to halve them and roast with olive oil and then add feta and pine nuts and parsley.

Cauliflower Rice– basic but I love this for taco bowls and in the morning with a fried egg over top.

Mini Pizzas– the kids love these and I do too:)

Whole Grain Crisp Bread– I love these for my cheese plates.  I break them into smaller pieces for my cheese boards. They are great topped with cheese a little tomato and cucumber for a snack.  Also great with avocado.

Herbed Feta– I love this stuff in my salads it is also great scrambled with eggs + spinach + tomatoes.

Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese- I just tried this in store this week and it was pretty good.  I figure it is a sneaky way to get Frances to eat some veggies.

Pasta– I love this pasta for pasta salads.

Truffle Potato Chips– because I love anything with truffles.

Sweet Corn, Burrata, and Basil Ravioli- I love all the TJ ravioli, they are great for an easy weeknight meal.  This is a new favorite, I also love the truffle mushroom one.

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  1. Kelly says:

    Love all your salads and TJ recs!

  2. Julie says:

    You always have the best salads and I love trader joe’s! Thanks!

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