Annie's Triple Berry Salad

Have any of you ever read these books by Josi S. Kilpack.  They are a culinary mystery series that revolves around the character of Sadie Hoffmiller.  Did you know that culinary mystery is an actual genre?  I didn't until I started reading this series.  The books are really cute and easy reads.  The recipes, for the most part, are mouth watering   This recipe comes from her book Blackberry Crumble.  It's the latest in the series and has, in my opinion, some really yummy looking recipes. 

Annie's Triple Berry Salad

3/4 cup candied walnuts

1/3 cup sugar

salt

5 cups (6 to 8 oz.) baby spinach

2 cups fresh berries of your choice (blackberries, boysenberries,

blueberries, raspberries, sliced strawberries, etc)

1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced

1 cup of your favorite sweet dressing (poppy seed, raspberry vinaigrette, etc.)

To candy walnuts, preheat frying pan on medium-low heat.  Add walnuts and cook for about 3 min. until you smell them, stirring constantly.  Sprinkle sugar and a dash of salt over the nuts.  Continue to stir quickly until the sugar melts.  Toss nuts until sugar is no longer grainy and nuts are coated in the melted sugar; about 5 min. (a little smoke is normal, but don't burn them).  Spread them out on a sheet of wax paper and let cool.  Put together the rest of the salad.  

Salad:  Toss together all ingredients except dressing.  Add cooled walnuts and dressing.  Toss to coat.  Serve immediately.  Serves 6 to 8.  

I have made this salad three times so far and each time was more delicious than the last.  The last two times I made it I also added some grilled chicken for some extra protein.  I use this salad dressing,

it is extremely tasty.  I've only used raspberries but that's because it's what I had on hand.  This recipe is so versatile.  I look forward to trying different fruit and dressings with it.  Give it a try!  You won't regret it.

I actually copied five or six recipes out of this book.  I will post each recipe and my opinion as I make them.  The next one I REALLY want to try is called Loaded Bread Dip.  It sounds DIVINE!  But SO full of calories.  It's not exactly on my diet right now, but hey you've got to splurge every now then, right?  Right!

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http://beautyandbedlam.com/saving-money-on-vacation/