Mediterranean Grain Bowl Salad

Some time ago, my sweet husband & I were visiting Cedar City, Utah, and stayed in the Comfort Inn & Suites there.  While there, we went into the cafe to grab a quick meal, & I chose the Mediterranean Grain Bowl.  It was fantastic & I wanted to make it at home.  To that end, here is my version.  I think it was a hit!

Southwest Chicken Salad

I found this recipe in a favorite cooking magazine while standing in line at the grocery store.  I bought the whole magazine for just this recipe.  Over the years, I’ve tweaked it & simplified it, but the taste is still heavenly!

This recipe is inspired from

http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/southwestern-grilled-chicken-salad-tomato-black-bean-salsa.aspx.  

If you prefer grilling or using the long, hard, messy directions, please go to the original.  They make a beautiful, layered salad, where mine (below) is chopped, mixed, and quickly ready to feed a family.

Avocado-Egg Salad

When I was little, my Aunt Norma Elliott was my regular baby-sitter,  Many of my earliest memories include her.  She was awesome - she taught me how to read, sing, sew, and be happy even when things didn't go my way.

On of our favorite outings was to take a picnic lunch to the park, where my Uncle Budge Elliott worked.  One favorite meal was an Egg Salad Sandwich.  While Aunt Norm was wonderful about making it just right, she wasn't super picky about getting all of the eggshell off!  To this day, a crunchy bite of egg shell will send shivers down my back & flood my mind with happy memories of picnics with Aunt Norm & Uncle Budge!

Fast forward to today, & I am on a weight-loss journey, searching for yummy meals that fill me up, and came across this one for an Egg Salad Sandwich.  I like it, but wanted to adapt a bit, so came up with my own recipe version.

Photo by Kirsten Morningstar