#loveafare

Brimming with color, crunch, and a few surprises. This Caesar salad is sure to meet your healthy food cravings. 

It started out as an innocent crush on a pretty straightforward Caesar salad. With some extras this  turned into a love a fare with Dr. Praeger's veggie patties.

I've spent a good amount of time and money looking for veggie patties that aren't made with weird ingredients. Then there's the ones that taste awful and have a texture that doesn't seem right. I think I have found the one. Dr. Praeger's has some great products. I found this brand at a local produce store in the frozen section and I'm hooked. 

The ingredient list for these veggie patties is pretty short and their products are appetizing. I've tried their sweet potato pancakes which are just the slightest bit sweet in a good way. I've tried their broccoli pancakes and they go great with tortillas. They carry Italian veggie burgers and the texture is soft but not mushy. I like that you can see chunks of the actual food that make up the patty. 

I've made my own veggie bean burgers HERE, HERE and HERE. I will continue doing just that. In fact I want to make a similar version to the sweet potato and broccoli store bought versions. I'll keep you posted.

But, you can appreciate a good ready to eat alternative, right? Can you tell I'm smitten with these veggie patties? 

Now back to this Mixed Greens Caesar Salad. 

A blog called Jade Louise Designs posted a recipe for Express Chicken Caesar Salad. I liked her clever idea to add sunflower seeds and shredded carrots. The crunch it adds takes this salad to a new place. I might try pecans next time. Caesar Cardini would approve.

Serves 2

Ingredients

2 cups chopped hearts of romaine lettuce

2 cups baby spinach blend

1 cup shredded carrots

1 cup shredded red cabbage ( I use shredded red cabbage ready to use)

1/4 cup sunflower seeds

1 medium ripe avocado

3-4 tablespoons Caesar dressing ( I use Bolthouse Farms Caesar Parmigiano Yogurt Dressing)

Directions

Place all ingredients in a bowl.  Toss to combine. Serve with a veggie patty of choice. 

This is what's going on with me:

1: Poor Andre. He's not a happy camper. This is the face of a dog with cabin fever. It's almost over and we can't wait. 

2: If you are looking for inspiration to eat local then read Manresa: An Edible Reflection by David Kinch . They take eating local to a whole new level. 

3: A little overzealous? 

4: A few people I follow on instagram that I think are really talented photographers. Instagram.com@Foodrecipeshq and Instagram.com@Rainydaybites. I really enjoy their work. 

5: I am now the proud owner of a high powered blender. Super smooth smoothies and pesto, and it grinds nuts beautifully but really loud. 

6: Thanks for all the flowers. You know who you are. 

7: I need… some warm weather now. 

8: I want… some warm weather now. 

9: I have… to feel the warmth of the sun on my skin. 

This is what's going on with me….

1: Bad news; didn't get enough sleep last night. Good news; 40 degrees fahrenheit today. It's practically a heat wave. 

2: Taste testers unite; for a brief moment. 

3: Been thinking about making some small changes to the website. 

4: Do you ever have dreams that make you realize that no matter how scary something seems you can handle it and you jump right in? I did the other night. 

5: Life in the city.

6: Hugs are the best. 

7: I want… to finish reading Mastering the Art of French Eating by Ann Mah.

8: I need…. some energy today.

9: I have… many ideas for recipes in 2014! A few that come to mind are popovers, more stir fry, veggie burgers, and of course some new muffin tops.