It may have felt like a long time coming, but I feel salad days are definitely here. This week I will be posting two classic salads but, for those of you who want to try something a little different, I'm also sharing three unusual salads which were linked up to #CookBlogShare last week. I am sure you are going to be as keen to try them as I am.
#CookBlogShare week 24 – Super Salads
With so many fabulous recipes being linked up each week to #CookBlogShare, it is not always easy to pick just a few to share. As I write this round-up the sun is pouring in through my office window and I just know that salads are a good choice. When it comes to making salads I like to vary from classic salads (like my Greek Salad and Light Waldorf salad which I will be posting later this week) to trying new combinations and flavours. All three of the salads linked up last week were a little bit different and I would really like to try them. I am sure you will too.
Green tea soba noodle citrus salad
First off we have this Green tea soba noodle citrus salad from The Food Journey. Reading this post my mouth was quite literally watering, noodles with citrus fruit and an Asian style dressing sound just perfect for a summer lunch dish.
Barley Salad with Lemon and Basil
Carrying on with the citrus theme we have this Barley salad with Lemon and Basil from Searching for Spice. I can just imagine eating this salad as a side with some grilled fish or chicken. Delicious!
Easy giant couscous and mixed bean salad
Last, but by no means least, we have Hijacked by Twins' Easy giant couscous and mixed bean salad. This salad makes a great side salad or light main course salad perfect for packed lunch boxes.
A New World of Friends
Being part of the #CookBlogShare team is one of my favourite elements of blogging. I love doing these roundups and popping over to visit the blogs that have linked up. I feel that I can do my little bit to give back to the wonderfully supportive bloggers that make up our ever growing #CookBlogShare community. When I started Recipes Made Easy I had no idea that this community of like-minded bloggers existed, and I had no idea I would be gaining a whole new group of friends (both in the real world and virtually) along the way.
Some I have met in real life at events I have been to. Not just food bloggers, but also travel and family bloggers. Others I have yet to meet in person and that includes the rest of the #CookBlogShare team. Hopefully we can change that soon. I have been blown away by how much fun and how supportive the blogging world has been.
It is not just UK based bloggers either. I met the lovely Lizet from Paraguay through an Instagram challenge we were both taking part in. When a couple of her friends were travelling to the UK she asked them to pop the jar of Dulce de Leche in their suitcase then post it to me once they got here.
How kind of her to send this lovely gift. She tells me it is very popular in Paraguay and South America, where they use it in baking, as a spread on crackers or fruits, or as a dip mixed with cream cheese. I really cannot wait to try finding recipes for this rather special jar of Dulce de Leche, and I'm just wondering what to make with it. Lizet blogs at Chipa by The Dozen. Go and check it out, she is a very talented lady and blogs in both English and Spanish.
Another blogger I have become virtual friends with is Emilie from Cookies for England. When I was just starting out she did an on-line interview with me as part of her "meet the neighbours" series where she featured other bloggers. Emilie originally started blogging in the hope that she could make enough money from her blog to pay for her lifetime dream of travelling to England hence the name of her blog. This year that dream is coming true and I am really hoping that we will get the chance meet up when she is in London – Emilie if we don't I'm unfriending you!
Many of my readers feel like friends too. (Hello Gloria in Texas who is a fan and now frequent baker of my No-Knead Sourdough). Nothing is more satisfying than when someone reaches out and tells you they have made your recipe and loved it. Or reached out to you for help and support with their cooking and then drop a thank you note or some pictures of what they have made. It is these little gestures and kindness, not viewing stats, that make blogging for me so rewarding. So I thank each and every one of you, bloggers and readers alike, who take the time to leave a comment or drop me a line, you are the reason I'm loving blogging and I wouldn't want to keep doing it without your support.
jenny walters
What fabulous salad recipes.I am compiling a collection at the mo so this round up is perfect.I'm especially interested in trying the bulgar wheat salad.That will be a first for me.It sounds delicious!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Im so in to salads at the moment. no doubt by the end of the summer i will be craving stews and casserole but for now I'm enjoying lighter meals.
Cat | Curly's Cooking
These salads look delicious, perfect for a lovely sunny day. Also like the part you wrote about meeting friends. You get to meet some lovely people chatting about food 🙂
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Yes food really brings people together.
Choclette
You are so right. The best bit about blogging are the people you meet along the way and it's always a thrill when someone makes your recipe and lets you know that they've liked it. How lovely to get sent that jar of dulce de leche. There are many such kindnesses in this food world of ours.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Yes indeed and it was lovely to meet you a few weeks back. and yes nothing beats the thrill of someone telling you they have made and enjoyed your recipe.
Mandy
Lovely salad recipes. I too love how blogging means that you make connections and friendships with people in lovely places. My husband is half Argentinean and we have eaten a lot of dulce de leche over the years! It's often served on the side of a sweet dessert eg flan (which is like creme caramel) or apple pancakes. Some people even eat it with toast for breakfast!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
I have had dulce de leche a few time I think eating at breakfast could be a slippery slope. Im really looking forward to making something with this jar and I shall be sharing what ever i make with friends 🙂
Donna
ooo these salads look yummy! I'm always a bit lost when it comes to making a salad!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Its easy to be lazy and do the same old but worth the effort finding new ideas.
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food
I agree that it is high time for salads, and these all look so unusual and delicious! I agree with your sentiments about the blogging community. Although I have yet to meet more than a handful in person, everyone is so wonderful, encouraging, and supportive. I'm familiar with Lizet's blog because I've been to Paraguay and recognized "chipa" in her blog's name (also a popular food there!). How sweet that she sent you the dulce de leche (get it? Sweet?! LOL!). I hope that one day I'll have the chance to meet some of you wonderful people in person.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
I would love to go to Parguay and south Americas in general, sadly that will probably remain just a dream, but meeting virtual friends from around the world helps to make up and yes such a genuine and sweet gesture which I was really moved by. There are some lovely people out there 🙂
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder
Such delicious and Summery salads in your round up Jacqui, perfect choice considering how nice and hot it's been. Lovely to read about your blogging friends from afar. Blogging community is fantastic and without the borders too which is great! 🙂
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Yes here's to our fabulous blogging community. J x
Marilyn Lesniak
Thank you for hosting! My offerings this week include a Raspberry Custard Pie, Michigan Salad, and Chicken and Bacon Mac and Cheese in a Sourdough Bread Bowl . Enjoy your week!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Thanks for coming Marilyn. Have a fabulous week
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain
What a really lovely thought that your Instagram had of sending you their brand of Dulce de Leche to try. You're definitely right Jacqui, it's definitely salad weather - I'm loving the refreshing notes of Corina's Barley Salad.
Angela x
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
yes Corina salad sounds fab as do the other two lets hope the salad weather continues. J x
Jessica Cantoni
The blogging community is just the best! Lovely salads too 🙂 xx
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
You are right I had no idea I would end up feeling that I had so many friends as a result of writing the blog. Its the best bit by far. j X
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Me neither it's great isn't it. j x
Emilie Baltimore
A beautiful post! Thank you so much for the kind words, and I also look forward to meeting you this fall! <3
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
It will be amazing to meet up.
Lizet Flores de Bowen
It's been so much fun getting to know you through your blog and recipes. And yes! we really like your recipes 🙂
So jealous and happy for Emilie. I hope you guys get together and make something yummy!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Ahh thank you Lizet. You too. It will be fab meeting Emilie, and may be one day...
Eb Gargano | Easy Peasy Foodie
Oooh yum! Lovely salads! And what a lovely piece you have written about the friends we meet through blogging! Someone asked me just the other day, if it was lonely blogging at home on my own....but the truth is I'm never really on my own!! I'm constantly meeting, chatting and interacting with people...just not very often in person! Eb x
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Yes the community feel real came as a bit of a surprise. I have freelance for over 20 years and at the times I was just writing it was quite lonely which is why I always liked working in studios and bouncing ideas of the photographer or art director. But writing a blog is never lonely and I really appreciate all my blogging friends. As you say we are never really alone.
Corina Blum
Thanks so much for featuring my barley salad! The other two salad both sound gorgeous too. I'd love to eat the soba noodle salad on a hot day.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
You are Welcome Corina, your salad sounds delish.
Patrick@looneyforfood.com
Salad Days are here for sure! Loving all the bowls of veggies.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
yippee to salad to days
thenotsocreativecook@yahoo.com
Salad is indeed perfect for the summer season. 😀 Great roundup, Jacqui. Thanks for hosting & I hope you are having a wonderful week. x
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Thank you, you too.