Spring Is In The Air
Pineapple-Avocado Salad
Hello Orange Bee visitors! I am refreshed from my long weekend of relaxing, visiting, shopping, and reading. This past weekend I was in west Texas where spring was in the air. With temperatures in the 80’s I enjoyed flip-flops and warm breezes. I admit as much as I like to try new recipes and cook I appreciated not spending any time in the kitchen except to load an occasional coffee cup or wine glass into the dishwasher. We ate out all meals over the weekend, which was swell for keeping me out of the kitchen but I was feeling it in my waistline. You know, too much salt, the chips and salsa or bread basket delivered pre-dinner can sabotage a waistline. Don’t get me wrong I can exert self-control when eating out but after several days of restaurant food I was craving fruits and veggies fresh from my frig tossed with one of my homemade dressings.
Pineapple- Avocado salad is what I came up with. I love to toss what looks good from my fruit basket, crisper drawer or pantry into a salad and whip up a fresh dressing. Normally I would use fresh pineapple but having been out-of-town I didn’t have one sitting around so I used canned. This salad makes me think of spring with its creamy avocado and juicy pineapple chunks mixed in with all those colorful lettuces. Having a little taste of warm weather, bare toes and indulging in this delightful salad brings hope for spring to be right around the corner.
As I write, my adoring husband is welding pipes together to complete the “bee yard”. He is multi talented and valuable in helping me to finish preparing for my girls to move in. You know, most bees in a hive are girls and as winter months approach the male bees remaining in the hive are carried off by the girls so as not to have them lazing around or eating stored honey during the dormant time of year. This time of year, the girls are preparing cells for their queen to lay eggs and determining just how many boys will be born into the hive. Once the boys are mature they take off from the hive, fertilize maiden queens and then they die! Their one purpose in life is fertilization and then their party is over. Alas, my bees will be arriving this weekend, weather permitting. I cannot begin to express how excited I am to start this adventure. I have been studying and reading about bees and bee keeping in all of my spare time. I feel prepared and look forward to sharing my bee escapades with you. Stay tuned…
If you are feeling a little spring feverish throw together this delicious salad, put on your flip-flops, kick back & enjoy!
Pineapple-Avocado Salad
Green and red leaf lettuce
1 ripe medium size avocado, cubed
1 can of pineapple chunks, drained – save juice
Handful of almonds – finely chopped
Chives – finely chopped
Fresh ground pepper
Dressing:
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon sugar
1/8 Teaspoon salt
In a jar or bowl combine dressing ingredients and whisk together or shake well.
Toss greens in a bowl. Dip the cubed avocado into the pineapple juice, arrange over lettuce. Add drained pineapple to the salad greens and avocado, pour dressing over and toss. Place salad on plates and sprinkle with chopped almonds, chives and fresh ground pepper.
