New-Dorf Salad

A couple weeks ago, I did my weekly shopping.  As I am sure I have told you before, I do my menu planning on Thursday night or Friday morning.  I then pack all 3 kiddos into the Mom's Limo, aka mini van, and head out to Costco, Trader Joe's, and then Super Target.  Well this particular Friday, like most days so far this summer, it was about a zillion degrees....with heat index, a zillion and fifty.  Luckily (or not) it takes about 20 minutes to go to Costco, which is enough time for the oven of a car to get nice and cooled down.  The time it took me to help the kiddos out of the car, walk to the front door, rummage through my wallet to find my Costco card, get Kiddo A into a cart, we were literally dripping and disgusting.  UGH! 
As we were working the sample tables, hoping and praying for ice cream or popsicles, this version of a Waldof Salad was being sampled.  Now, let me just say, I have never had a classic Waldorf Salad.  I am allergic to walnuts, and pretty much the thought of putting a mayonnaise-y type dressing over fruit makes me want to hurl.  So, I turned my nose up and kept the vomit at bay.  Now, as a side note, we have seen this particular sample guy at work...he could sell ice in a snowstorm.  At Easter, this same guy was hawking Red Velvet Cake shouting at the top of his lungs that it was "Jesus birthday cake".  So, when he started shouting it was "fresh apples, grapes, celery, yogurt, almonds, and cranberries", it peaked my interest.  I double checked with him there were no walnuts in it, and took a bite.  Holy refreshing salad Batman!  It was FABULOUS!!!  I immediately picked up a container and continued to do my shopping.  While waiting in the massive line, I started to read the ingredients on the label and it literally said:  "Apples, Red Grapes, Celery, Dried Cranberries, Sliced Almonds, Vanilla Yogurt".  Then I caught a glimpse of the $10 price tag.  I promptly put it back and added a few items to my list, came home and made this.  Kiddos raved about it, the Hubby and I could not stop eating it.  Do yourself a favor and try this.  It is simple, refreshing, and spectacular!

Ingredients:

• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 2 apples, diced with skin on.  I used Golden Delicious, but use what you like.
• 2 cups seedless red grapes
• 1 cup Craisins
• 1 cup sliced toasted almonds.  I recommend using the Almond Accents brand.
• 1 cup Vanilla flavored yogurt.

In a medium bowl, add diced celery, apples, grapes, and Craisins.  Stir in the Vanilla Yogurt, coating everything.  Add almonds and stir to coat some more.  Serve immediately.

This recipe is linked up at:
Simply Sweet Home - Friday Favorites
Tidy Mom - I'm Lovin' It
Mommy's Kitchen - Sunday Potluck
This Chick Cooks
Eat at Home

Friday's Fabulous Finds - Pub Battered Cod

My Friday seems to have slipped away from me! On Friday's I do my meal plan and shopping for the week. I make a run to Costco, Trader Joes, and Super Target. Whew! So, sorry about the post being late today. Moving on...

I found these little babies at Costco. Pub Battered Cod....YUM! Perfect for a fish and chips night. Heck, that can even be your St. Patrick's Day dinner if you don't feel like going all corned beef and cabbage. You could also use them for a fish taco. I was always scared of the words FISH and TACO used together, but really, it is quite yummy. Simply put some fish in soft taco (corn or flour) and top with cole slaw and maybe even a little mango salsa if you are feeling sassy! It is nothing like a "regular" taco, it has it's own mojo going on. But don't try to tell that to my husband, just mention "Fish Taco" and watch him gag and claim a random killer allergy.

Anyway you use it, these are yummy and a great option for those days you want something fast and easy!

Friday's Fabulous Finds - Dole Tropical Gold Pineapple

Welcome to Round 2 of Friday's Fabulous Finds, a time and place where I share with you some food and/or cooking items that I have found and love. Today, I am going to let you in on a little information about me. Maybe even a little too much information, but important information to get you from point A to B. Or point A to today's Friday's Fabulous Find.
Back to information, I am allergic to pineapple. Very sad for me, because I LOVE pineapple....I would have loved to eat it everyday, or at least once in a while growing up....but I couldn't. When temptation proved to be too much and I would indulge, whether fresh or canned, my mouth and tongue would break out in blisters. Bleck, I know. Too much??? Moving on...
About a year and a half ago my hubby and I were whisked away to Hawaii to attend a friend's wedding, so between this:

and this:

and a little bit of this:

I met a wonderful woman from Hawaii at the wedding luau. As I was staring longingly at the hunk-o-pineapple on my plate, somehow the conversation turned to my allergy to pineapple. She informed me that most people who have that type of reaction have no reaction to Golden Pineapple, or Tropical Gold, depending where it was picked. Something about not as acidic and sweeter than normal pineapple. As luck would have it, that hunk-o-pineapple on my plate was indeed a Maui Golden Pineapple. Benedryl at the ready, I took a bite...and....NOTHING! Nothing but the sheer sweet tropical flavor explosion of pineapple. HAPPY DANCE!!!
I enjoyed more pineapple on the island and since back to the mainland, would once in a while find fresh Golden Pineapple at various stores I shopped. But now, behold what I found at Costco a month or so ago...

Needless to say, I bought a box...and another...and another. This stuff is AWESOME! Perfect for stir-fry's, sweet and sour chicken, salads, dessert recipes, and just plain munching on. As a total bonus

That's right, in 100% juice, no sugar added, no preservatives, and of course, high in antioxidants and vitamin C!

As a "got the winter blues" treat, it can't be beat. Thus saith Siggy Suess.

Friday's Fabulous Finds - Trader Joe's Mandarin Chicken

I have decided that I am turning Friday's into "Friday's Fabulous Finds". A designated time and place where I can share with you some food and/or cooking related items I love, because I like to spread the love. Today, I am featuring Trader Joe's (Ming's) Mandarin Chicken. Let me take a moment to apologize to those who live in Trader-less Joe's areas. I am profoundly sorry for your loss, and especially if you have known and loved Joe in the past. However, for those of you who can visit Joe whenever you would like, I would like for you to do yourself a favor and go pick up a bag of this scrumptious chicken! It is faster than calling for take-out and just as yummy! Add a bag of stir-fry veggies, serve it on rice with a side of potstickers or eggrolls and you have just magically saved at least $30, which according to my girl math is enough to get yourself some Croc flip-flops since summer is coming up!

Please, please, please share with all of us what some of your fabulous finds are in the comment section below! Have a great weekend!