Strawberry Spinach Salad

 

I made this salad for a neighborhood progressive dinner that we participated in.  It was super delicious and got rave reviews.  At first, I was going to take the dressing and let people add their own, but then I decided to just mix it all together, like the recipe stated, and I am glad that I did.  The dressing was extremely thick, which would have made it weird when people added it themselves, but when I stirred it all together, it wasn't an issue.

Strawberry Spinach Salad
adapted from: allrecipes.com

1 Tbsp sesame seeds
1 Tbsp poppy seeds (or chia seeds, which is what I used)
1/2 c. white sugar
1/2 c. oil
1/4 c. balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp. minced onion
10 oz. spinach
sliced strawberries
1/4 c. sliced almonds
Feta cheese

In a blender, blend together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, oil balsamic vinegar, paprika, Worcestershire and onions until smooth.  In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries, almonds and feta cheese.  Gently stir it all together with the dressing.  Add the dressing in a little at a time, until you get as much as you want.  I had dressing leftover at the end.  Serve it immediately.

How To Dye Noodles (For Noodle Necklaces)

The other day I wanted to use colored noodles for a craft in Preschool on St. Patty's Day.  I found a few different recipes, but this one had a couple of good points: it was super easy, and it was edible.  You know, just in case the kiddos take it home and munch on it (and I wouldn't put it past a couple of them).

Colored Noodles
from: instructables.com

vinegar
food coloring
dry noodles
ziploc bags

Place some noodles in a baggie.  Pour one teaspoon of vinegar in with the noodles.  Drop 4-5 drops of food coloring in with the noodles, too.  Seal it up and shake those noodles all around until the color is evenly distributed.  On a cookie sheet lined with wax paper, spread the colored noodles out to dry.  When they are dried, string them on some yarn for a colorful (and edible :) necklace.