Crunchy Romaine Toss

Anytime we go to a pot luck or family reunion, my Mom always makes her famous Crunchy Romaine Toss.  Literally, people specifically go out of their way to grab some before its gone, and if she feels like changing it up every once in a while and doesn't make it (gasp!) grown men will indeed cry.  So, it is with her permission, I share with your another favorite strawberry recipe. 

(Sorry the pic is such bad quality.  Almost forgot to take a pic when we ate it this last Saturday.) This was the aftermath of round 1. 

Crunchy Romaine Toss

Ingredients:

2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped

2 Cups fresh strawberries/ blueberries or mandarin oranges, sliced

(we just prefer strawberries)

1 package ramen noodles

1 Cup chopped walnuts or pecans 

1/4 Cup butter

Dressing:

1/2 Cup sugar/splenda/ or honey

1/2 Cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

3 teaspoons soy sauce

a Pinch of salt and pepper

Directions: 

Combine sugar, oil, vinegar, soy sauce, salt, and pepper in a jar with a tight-fitting lid (mason jar); shake until well blended. 

Break ramen noodles into small pieces, discarding flavor packet.

Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir noodles and nuts until browned, about 5 minutes. 

Drain on paper towels and allow to cool.

Combine noodles, nuts, strawberries, and romaine lettuce, in a bowl; toss gently. 

Dress with 1 cup, or more, of dressing; toss to coat.

Enjoy! Let me know what you think! Sadly, strawberry season is almost over here in NC, but blueberry and Peach are quickly upon us!!! Hope everyone has a great Thursday! XO

The State Farmer's Market

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Hope you are staying nice and cool! With this warm weather rolling in, it has gotten me into a full on summer mood.  I'm ready for cookouts, late nights on the porch, lightening bugs, and all the yummy fruits and veggies that become available this time of year. One of our family's favorite weekend past times, is to go to the State Farmer's Market and pick up some local produce.  We are so lucky here in Raleigh to be so close to so many great farms and nurseries.  It is the middle of Strawberry season right now, so we made sure to stop by this past weekend to pick up a pint or two or who am I kidding- gallon.

Fiona could not get enough of these red beauties.  I think she ate her weight in them as we walked through all the vendors.  

I'm not sure if it's a southern thing, or just our family, but so many of our favorite recipes have strawberries in them.  Over the next couple weeks, I will be sharing some of our favorite summertime strawberry recipes.  Hope you all enjoy them and let me know what some of your favorites are!