Azoresgal~Life on an Island

This macaroni salad has graced many of our BBQ's this summer. It is tangy with hint of sweetness, super easy to make, and it is sure to be a hit with your family! 4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni ( I use 500 gram bag) 1 cup mayonnaise 1/4 cup  white vinegar 2/3 cup white sugar ( or adjust to your liking) 2 1/2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper Add in options:  sliced olives chopped hard boiled eggs diced onions chopped red or green peppers shredded carrots sliced celery chopped pickles diced deli meats diced cheese slices green onions Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Rinse under cold water and drain. Make sure its nice and cool before adding the dressing! In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. Stir in the  cold macaroni. Next add in what ever extras you like!...

  Our red potatoes taters are ready to harvest, after 12 weeks of slumber in the ground. I have to admit these are my favorties, they are "new" potatoes still. They are tender, with a slight crispiness, and the skin is not tough yet, you can scratch it off with a finger nail. This time of year is when I believe we eat the freshest produce possible, from the garden to our table. The lettuce, the peas, the green beans, the cabbage, even the green onions (that I should leave alone, or we won't have onions in the fall). Everything is fresh and vibrant, and smells like the earth, and you just know that it will all taste wonderful with the addition of the simplest ingredients. This potato salad is just that, very few ingredients, just enough to compliment each other, but let the taste of the red potatoes shine! I used greek yogurt instead of mayo,  it is light but still creamy and it tastes amazing. 1 kilo red potatoes, skin-on, 3/4 inch dice 1 cup plain Greek yog...

 This salad is packed with so much yummy goodness! Salad greens, apples, feta cheese, candied pecans, dried cranberries, and a scrumptious dressing!  It´s a show stopping combination, of sweet, tart, salty, crunchy and it’s delicious.  It is super simple to make, yes even the candied pecans, and presentation wise, it´s beautiful! My family and friends love it, and I promise yours will too ! 6 ounces baby spinach ( I used mixed greens, arugula, bib lettuce, romaine ) 1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped ( I added candied pecans, walnuts would be great too) 2 Granny Smith Apples, chopped ( I sliced mine, pears would work too) ½ cup crumbled Feta Cheese ¾ cup dried cranberries  Poppyseed Dressing ⅓ cup mayonnaise ¼ cup  milk ( I used skim milk) 3 Tablespoons Sugar 4 teaspoons cider vinegar 2 teaspoons poppyseeds In a large bowl, toss baby spinach, pecans, apples, feta cheese, and cranberries. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, m...

A very delicious and simple salad! You’ll be surprised how well these flavors go together, the saltiness of the feta cheese and the sweetness of the watermelon. The best part, how fresh and cool this salad is on a hot  summer's day.  watermelon, ice cold and cubed  red onion, peeled and thinly sliced  feta cheese  balsamic vinegar/ or balsamic glaze  fresh basil, snipped / or mint Directions: 1. In a bowl, combine the watermelon, onion, and feta. 2. Snip the herbs into the bowl. Drizzle the vinegar over the salad and toss well to coat. *** make a little salad or a great big salad if you please, the amounts are up to you !