The hiatus is over!

After a much needed summer hiatus I am back with tons of new recipes to help get you through the busy holiday season. I spent the summer vegetable, herb, and flower gardening so I am trying to incorporate a fresh element to a lot of my recipes. I also spent the summer geo caching so I tasted some very ummmm interesting food at times some of which I'm still trying to forget!  However, some was down right delicious and has been the inspiration behind a few new dishes. Today I am feeling in the holiday spirit so I am going to bake a sweet and savory ham roast and some creamy Mac and cheese. These recipes and pictures of the finished product will be posted later so make sure you check back! Happy holidays now lets eat!

Ultimate Garden Salad

Garden salad makes a perfect side dish for any meal such as Lasagna Roll-Ups or homemade Pizza Rolls. I took the typical garden salad and kicked it up a notch...enjoy!

2 heads Romaine lettuce cut up
1 carrot shredded
1 cucumber peeled and sliced thin
1 radish sliced thin
2 tomatoes diced
1/2 onion sliced thin and separated into rings
6 leaves fresh basil diced
10 leaves fresh parsley diced
1/2 cup diced cauliflower
1/2 cup diced broccoli
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
2 green onions diced
1 bag croutons
1 cup shredded cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
Dressing of your choice
Crumbled bacon (optional)

Mix together thoroughly in a large bowl. Top with your favorite dressing and crumbled bacon. Serves 12.

The Perfect Slider

1 lb ground beef
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Parsley diced dried or fresh
Basil diced dried or fresh
1 onion diced
Cheese slices (optional)
Dinner rolls or mini Hawaiian buns
Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, bacon (optional toppings)

Thaw one pound of ground beef and mix with the garlic, onion, salt, pepper, parsley, and basil. Divide into 16 equal patties. I rolled my meat out between two sheets of wax paper with a rolling pin then used a small cup like a cookie cutter. Dice the onion and put into 16 equal portions on the griddle or skillet.  Place one pattie on top of each onion pile. Cook for 4 minutes on each side. Right before removing from the heat place a piece of cheese on top. (Optional) Place on a dinner roll or mini bun. Top with your choice of toppings. Serves 4-8 depending on appetite. Can be frozen and reheated later.