Apple Spinach Salad with Spiced Nuts

 (Photo from Redhead Recipes.)

This recipe was recommended by Katy L. She found it at Redhead Recipes. She paired it with White Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, which I will post as soon as I get permission from the blogger.

Ingredients and Directions: 

Apple Spinach Salad with Spiced Nuts

• 1 bag prewashed spinach
• 1-2 granny smith apples, cored and sliced thinly
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/2 cup spiced caramelized nuts (recipe below)

Place all ingredients in a bowl. (Now that's a difficult recipe!) And top with apple cider vinaigrette (see recipe below)

Spiced Caramelized Nuts

• 1/2 cup pecans (or favorite nut)
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 small pinch of cayenne (don't get scared!)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Combine sugar, cayenne, cinnamon, and nutmeg thouroughly. Place in skillet over medium heat. When sugar starts to melt stir in nuts. Stir occasionally. Once all sugar has melted and nuts are coated, place nuts on parchment paper to cool. Eat plain, in a salad, or on top of ice cream.

Apple Cider Vinaigrette 

• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 tsp dijion mustard
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• salt and pepper

Place all ingredients in a curet and shake.

Greek Quesadillas

This recipe was sent in by Vanessa H. She found it over at Annie's Eats. Head over there to see a picture of these yummy quesadillas. Vanessa says, "This is seriously to DIE for!"

Ingredients:

• 4 large (10-inch) whole wheat tortillas
• Olive oil
• Fresh spinach leaves, chopped (about 2 cups)
• Diced red onion (about ½ cup)
• Roasted red peppers, chopped
• Oven-dried tomatoes
• Sliced black olives
• Mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 1-1½ cups)
• Crumbled feta cheese (about 2/3 cup)
• Oregano (dried or fresh)
• Red pepper flakes
  

Directions:

1. Place tortillas on a work surface. Very lightly brush one side of each tortilla with olive oil and flip over so the oiled side is facing down. Sprinkle the chopped spinach leaves over half of each tortilla, leaving a small rim around the edge. Layer in a similar fashion with red onion, roasted red pepper, tomatoes, olives, cheeses, oregano, and red pepper flakes as desired. Fold over the bare half of each tortilla, enclosing the fillings.

2. Warm a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat and if needed, lightly oil the cooking surface. Carefully place assembled quesadillas in the pan and cook, turning once, until each side is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Slice into triangles and serve warm.

Notes about this recipe:

1. I've tried it with oven-roasted tomatoes and with sun-dried tomatoes. Both are amazing.

Spaghetti Squash

(Photo from Allrecipes.com)

This recipe was recommended by Liz D. She found it at Allrecipes.com. She says it was "a win." Around here we are all about recipes that win!

Ingredients:

• 1 spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
• 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 3 tablespoons sliced black olives
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. Place spaghetti squash cut sides down on the prepared baking sheet, and bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a sharp knife can be inserted with only a little resistance. Remove squash from oven, and set aside to cool enough to be easily handled.
3. Meanwhile, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic, and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, and cook only until tomatoes are warm.
4. Use a large spoon to scoop the stringy pulp from the squash, and place in a medium bowl. Toss with the sauteed vegetables, feta cheese, olives, and basil. Serve warm.