Thursday, February 12, 2015

A fresh tasting salad~♥And a love letter~



Looks a little dry here..and the pith on these grapefruits would have needed  a scalpel..but..
 add that dressing to the left..and you are all set~
Pink grapefruit..arugula....and red onion again..




It is rare that we do not have arugula in the fridge..it used to be rare:( in our local grocery stores..years ago..but now it seems to be a staple in all of them..






I love eating salads for lunch..to have a salad and a whole meal is too much for us now..unless we are eating out at our daughters or a restaurant..
But as a lunch..it works very well for us..and with the lovely citrus we have been finding the last 2 weeks..I made a few..
Jacques will add some protein..I can live w/out for lunch..
I like my carbs♥so I made puff pastry hearts to go on top~perfect for valentine'sDay..or just because you like hearts~
The dressing is what makes this..

From Food And Drink 2005

1 cup of olive oil
1 cup seasoned rice wine vinegar
3 tbsps soya sauce
1/4 cup chopped chives
freshly ground pepper
Whisk together all ingredients.  Season with salt to taste..

I halved mine and of course had some left over..In summertime some pesticide free blooms would be beautiful additions..

Our eldest grandson Lucas..studies in French..but he likes to write in english sometimes..and we were the grateful recipients of this ♥ letter I picked up at the mail..
His last name is Latendresse..He suits it well.
Best Valentine and it was not meant to be one..just a little note because he had done some homework with us one afternoon and played chess with grandad.
You know those cartoons when hearts are coming out of peoples eyes because of love?
Jacques and I are both ridiculously guilty of having them come out of our eys.
Thank goodness they are only visible to the recipients:)
I almost forgot..I made these one day when he came over..Straight out of the oven..they are sinfully delicious..from Sally's Baking Addiction.They would be great for a sleepover..brunch..breakfast..after school..and the house smells so good.They are easy peasy..
David's Teas have some adorable and tasty teas out right now.
I think  I like David's Tea..s a bit too much.~




49 comments:

  1. Great pictures, so clear. That letter is adorable, and pulsl at the heart strings. A real 'keepsake'
    I have one from my son which I've kept all these years and when I see it... it still brings a lump ti my throat.

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    1. Me too..kept some from the girls..It doesn't take much does it? The things we find treasures:)

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  2. what a simple pretty salad and i love the touch of the puff pastry hearts, special little details are so fun. I loved seeing the letter from your grandson, i like that its in english and french and i'm sure he just loved those cinnamon rolls, what a treat. so much love its wonderful :)

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  3. I always buy arugula(called rocquette here) but I often forget to eat it quickly. Then I add it to soup or heat it up.
    Love the dressing idea too!

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    1. It's called that here too ..We were introduced to it years and years ago by our italian freinds..I think they had made arugula mashed potatoes..and it was love at first taste..The dressing is divine!

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  4. I tried growing arugula one year but it didn't fair too well. I think I will try it in a container this summer. My container kale was a huge success. I love arugula - my J not as much. He likes 'crunch' in a salad. Arugula is such a nutrient-packed green and so good for us. Our SIL serves meat on top of a bed of arugula. I love the flavor of it and this salad and dressing sound wonderful together and the heart on top ♥ What a sweet, sweet letter from Lucas. I love the line "gros comme dans la galaxy". That says such much about his affection for you :) And the hearts popping out of the eyes are adorable. Mmmm, those cinnamon rolls! Nothing says lovin' like something from the oven :-))

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    1. Oh yes..Pillsbury..I remember as if it was yesterday..BTW J warmed one up in the microwave..the roll.. perfect..just like 12seconds.
      This summer I sered arugula on Skinnytatstes..chicken recipe..and remade it so many times..
      It's got a kick we like..
      He wrote it in bed lol at 9.15 PM..and brought it down to Caro..Sweet sweet .Hope he always stays like that..

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  5. Lovely photos of the fresh salad. And what sweet letter. Have a nice weekend.

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  6. What a sweet letter from Lucas. I bet you will treasure that forever. I resisted the urge to make the cinnamon buns, but will try them for Monday morning. Happy Valentine's Day with Jacques and the rest of the family.



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    1. Yes try Monday and don't worry about leftovers..They warm perfectly in the microwave..
      The boys have a very sweet side of them..which of course I love..I am sure you get the same :)

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  7. So true about that dressing--it would make any salad outstanding!! Oh those cinnamon buns-I'm in love. What a dear sweet boy that Lucas. A treasure of a letter. Happy Valentine's Day to all of you.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  8. Mon Monique, this is my idea of a happy meal.

    I swear I recently made the same exact salad. Although, I used baby spinach instead of arugula, and needless to say, mine was missing the pastry heart.. . . details aside, the only thing my salad had in common with yours was the pink grapefruit. But I'll do better next time.

    Lucas' letter made my heart skip a beat! I hope you'll give that boy a big squish from all of us.

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    1. They all get squished :)
      We are doing it while we can..Although I met a nana ..a past co worker of mine..and her grandchildren..are all doing well(She told us what every one had accomplished so far..beamin ) and said you know they call me and ask me out to lunch:)So maybe some grandchildren stay kind of cuddly even when men:)
      I believe you about the salad..I made some with blood oranges..oh the colors!

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  9. The little puff pastry hearts are so cute. I like that idea. And I must try your dressing. Your Lucas is a sweetheart.

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  10. Oh, that is the prettiest salad! Grapefruit is so juicy and pretty and delicious in the middle of all.this.snow! I'll be trying this almost instantly! And that dear letter from Lucas melted my heart as much as yours...

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  11. My heart went flip flop when I read that precious note from Lucas. He must be at an adorable age. Your salad is simply gorgeous and that heart in the center says it all. We too eat a lot of salads for lunch and I'm always looking for new ways to freshen up old favorites.

    Happy Valentine's Day to you and Jacques.
    Sam

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    1. I like different in a salad and like you I love the addition of fruit in meals...You too Sam:)

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  12. Beautiful salad Monique, love the citrus heart shape. Also the letter from your grandson is so sweet. My mom recently found a letter that my son wrote her about 20 years ago, it made my eyes water.

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    1. All these words pull at our heartstrings for certain.I still have some my daughters gave me..and one will be 40 in August:)
      I am happy your mom found that.Must have made her day.I hope things are better..

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  13. Love the sweet note, and those darling puff pastry hearts, and to finally have found a recipe that will make use of the three (yes THREE) bottles of rice vinegar that somehow found their way into my pantry.

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    1. I certainly have more than one too;)
      My favorite is the seasoned rice vinegar..

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  14. I CRAVE arugula... and since we moved to a smaller town last year, it is not so readily available at the local grocery store,but I'm going in to a nice store tomorrow... and there will be arugula! {{sigh}} I will definitely give this dressing a try! There is nothing like a good salad with a light fresh dressing.

    Ahhhh... I know all about the hearts coming from a grandparent's eyes. Sweet love notes. ;) blessings ~tanna

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    1. I know you do♥
      Now ifonly I could knit like you my boys would be homespun fashion plates Tanna..You are such a GREAT knitter/crochet..unbelievable really!

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  15. Those cinnamon rolls got my attention, Monique! They look delicious! I love salads and your dressing sounds perfect. We don't eat so many in the winter in this cold weather as we do in the summer. Lucas has to be adorable and you are all lucky to have each other!

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    1. Pam.. try them:)

      The next day a quick visit in the micro..12 seconds..good as new:)
      The boys would have liked your parfaits to..I can just hear :"How did you do that"?

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  16. Love the look of this salad!!
    Also, that letter was so cute <3

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  17. Your salad is so... pretty Monique. I think I have hearts coming out of my eyes looking at it! Arugula is wonderful and to me, so artistic looking.

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  18. Oh, and the letter - just precious!

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  19. Adorable note! Thanks for sharing the citrus salad. Will make it this weekend. We, too, are enjoying the bounty of grapefruit. Love!
    Happy Valentine's Day!

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  20. Happy Valentines Day Monique! Such a sweet post, with notes from Grandsons, and delicious salads, and hearts springing from eyes. That happens here too. Love you! xoxoxo

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  21. Perfect for Valentine's Day! ♥ ♥ ♥

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  22. The note from your grand is so adorable. I bought a grapefruit yesterday as I am craving it too. You have inspired me to add it too our salad instead of the pear. I don't think I have rice vinegar, so I'll have to improvise! You are always such an inspiration. Thank you. Best Valentine's wishes xo

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  23. That is truly a very pretty salad. I wish my hubby liked salads but unfortunately, he doesn't. He calls it rabbit food ;) lol! How SO sweet of your grandson. I can't wait until mine are old enough to send me letters, at least I hope they do. We are having very, very cold temps what with the wind and single F digits. Sometimes looked like a blizzard out there. I don't mind the snow, I just don't like the gusty winds and snow blowing all over the place. I must try that tea. I have been obsessed with Oolong Tea, love it! Spring is just around the corner! :)

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  24. I am happy he likes salads..I much prefer them in summer but once in a while in winter I need o see alot of color on a plate.
    WE enjoy Oolong too!

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  25. Very refreshing salad, Monique. I love the heart-)))

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  26. Hi Monique....
    Oh dear....that love letter is precious!
    Enjoy your week...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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  27. Oooohhhh this post is amazing! I love everything of it!!!!!
    I have a very similar, vintage, italian colander! In brown and white... I think I've posted it on my blog recently.
    Left a comment in reply to yours ;) thank yooou, by the way!
    xoxo

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