Salad Ideas

Did overindulge a bit in the last week? I know I did. All of the candy, cookies, and other baked goods have me craving some good healthy food. At times like this salad seems like a good idea; but tomatoes that aren't mushy are hard to come by during New England winters. Luckily our recipes page has a large selection of salad recipes. Here are two that I'm thinking of trying this week. Which one looks & sounds better you?

Beet Salad with Balsamic Fig Salad Dressing

ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds fresh beets
• 3 tablespoons Stonewall Kitchen Olive Oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large red onion, cut into thin rings
• Stonewall Kitchen Balsamic Fig Salad Dressing
• 3 ounces stilton cheese, crumbled
• 1 head Boston Bib Lettuce, washed and dried
• toasted walnuts, chopped (optional)

directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Wash beets thoroughly, then coat in 3 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle with salt and wrap each in aluminum foil.
3. Put aluminum wrapped beets on a baking sheet. Roast until they are fork-tender (approximately 45-60 minutes).
4. Unwrap beets. When cool enough to handle, remove their skin. Cut into quarters.
5. Place lettuce on serving dishes. Top with roasted beets, crumbled blue cheese, and toasted walnuts. Drizzle Stonewall Kitchen Balsamic Fig Dress over each salad.

Apple Cranberry Salad with Balsamic Fig Dressing

ingredients

• 8 cups gently torn red leaf lettuce
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• ¾ cup Granny Smith apples, cored and diced
• 1/3 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
• ½ cup Stonewall Kitchen Balsamic Fig Dressing
• 1/3 cup goat cheese, crumbled (optional)

directions

1. Combine all ingredients, toss and serve immediately.
2. Hint: Sprinkle a small amount of orange juice over apple slices to prevent browning.
3. Optional: Marinate 1 ½ pound skinless boneless chicken breasts in ½ cup Stonewall Kitchen Balsamic Fig Salad Dressing 2-4 hours. Grill chicken breasts, cool and slice. Serve chicken over salad greens.

Holiday Giving

 It's easy to get lost in everything that is happening this time of year. We're all rushing around to finish the shopping, cooking, decorating & wrapping. Children are eagerly wondering if Santa will bring them everything that is on their list. In the midst of all of the festivities it is easy to get carried away and forget that there any many people who are struggling financially. Yes, we unfortunately can sometimes overlook this, but it is important to remember that many families have to scale down or forgo certain holiday extravagances.

Here at Stonewall Kitchen we make an effort to keep struggling families in our thoughts. This year we adopted a few local families in need and fulfilled their Christmas wish lists. From toys for the children to gifts for parents and even grocery store gift cards, we all pitched in to help make this Christmas a little more merry.

Wondering what can you do to help? We've got some ideas:

1) Provide an act of kindness for some who you know is in need. Shovel snow for an ill or traveling neighbor, bake cookies for a busy family, or offer to drive an elderly family member to do their shopping or to holiday worship services.

2) Donate to a local food pantry or volunteer your time. Want to donate in York, ME? Send your tax-deductible contribution to assist the York, ME food pantry; YDR Christmas Emergency Fund,  c/o Wachovia Bank, 12 E. Market St., York, 17401. 

3) Send an extra donation to your favorite charity. Or, choose one of our charitable giving gifts to send a present that includes a donation! Down East Breakfast Gift box donates to AIDS charities; Camp Sunshine Gift donates to Camp Sunshine, a camp for children with life threatening illness; Award Winning Products Gift donates to the SPCA; & Blueberry Breakfast Gift donates to Share our Strength.