3 Good-Looking Ways to Organize Your Bookshelves

Books are one of my absolute favorite things to decorate with. This isn’t to say I consider them purely decorative, it’s actually a testament to how much I love them. I put all my favorites on display—classics in a small stack by the entryway table (ah…

Books are one of my absolute favorite things to decorate with. This isn’t to say I consider them purely decorative, it’s actually a testament to how much I love them. I put all my favorites on display—classics in a small stack by the entryway table (ah yes, welcome to my home; I studied Virginia Woolf in college, by the way), interior design tomes collect near the coffee table, five novels particularly close to my heart lean cover-out on floating shelves in the bedroom, and little books of poetry are scattered around like it's a scavenger hunt.

The largest collection of books, of course, lives on my ladder-style bookshelf that’s rapidly running out of extra space. Here, thrillers, celebrity memoirs, and the occasional non-fiction volume vie for real estate with to a bamboo plant I’ve managed to keep alive for three years, some photo frames, and vases of dried flowers. I restyle this shelf often, because it’s an easy way to change up decor with items I already have, all while rediscovering books I file away to read again.

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Spring Berry Salad with Lemon Verbena Vinaigrette

This light salad recipe is made with fresh spring berries and a lemon verbena vinaigrette. It’s the perfect way to use lemon verbena from the garden! All I Want is Salad We got back from Georgia on Monday night and I’m now ready for my next…

This light salad recipe is made with fresh spring berries and a lemon verbena vinaigrette. It’s the perfect way to use lemon verbena from the garden! All I Want is Salad We got back from Georgia on Monday night and I’m now ready for my next vacation. I think after you travel, you’re supposed to feel well-rested and satisfied, but traveling only makes me want to travel more. I spent most of the car ride home Googling hotels in Hawaii and the cost of airfare to the Florida Keys. So I guess I haven’t had my fill of travel this summer. But I did leave Georgia with my fill of fabulous desserts, courtesy of my Aunt Darlene. (You’re watching her on The American Baking Competition, right?!) She made mini-cheesecakes and gorgeous stenciled cookies and brownies topped with gold leaf for my cousin’s wedding. Oh, and there was cake too, of course. And then the next day, we got to eat the rejects—more cookies, more brownies, and orange blossom macarons. So! Much! Food! Bingeing on sweets is always the best motivation for getting back on track with my diet. When we were leaving Savannah, I told Chris that all I wanted […]

Loaded Summer House Salad.

Welcome to the summer house salad! I mean, isn’t she pretty?!  I’m calling this my summer house salad for multiple reasons. First, it’s no secret how obsessed I am with the how sweet eats house salad. Because that bowl is incredible. I make a version of it almost every single day. It’s classic and traditional […]

The post Loaded Summer House Salad. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Welcome to the summer house salad!

loaded summer house salad

I mean, isn’t she pretty?! 

chopped salad ingredients

I’m calling this my summer house salad for multiple reasons.

First, it’s no secret how obsessed I am with the how sweet eats house salad. Because that bowl is incredible. I make a version of it almost every single day. It’s classic and traditional with a few twists.

So naturally, I wondered, could I make it better? No. I always try to do that, then I fail. But I can make a summer version. Yes.

mint and basil vinaigrette

Second, summer house salad. Doesn’t it sound like you’re having a salad in your summer house? Yes. All dreamy and romanticized and maybe there is a beach involved. I certainly don’t have a summer house and doubt I ever will, so I like the dream.

Summer house salad it is! 

oaded summer house salad

You may remember a few years ago when I made this spicy rainbow salad. It’s based on one of our favorite local restaurants here and it’s incredible. It’s also a little spicy and has a few not-so-easy to find ingredients for everyone, like papaya and plantains. And it’s not so much of a greens salad, but more of a chopped salad.

And we all know I looooove a good chopped salad.

This one also kind of reminds me of that, but this one here is easier to throw together for dinner. Or a big summer cookout!

herb vinaiagrette

It’s also SO satisfying – in the way that it fills you up and the way that it looks.

pouring vinaigrette on salad

It all starts with a base of greens! Use a spring mix or baby spinach or honestly whatever greens you like the best. I segmented this into what looks like a fancy salad, but it’s honestly not.

We have:

Tomatoes

Corn 

Cucumbers

Avocado

Radish

Red onion (you could use pickled!)

Mango (adds the perfect sweetness!)

Peas 

Herbs (mint and basil!)

And feta (use whatever cheese you’d like).

Oh oh and I also threw in a few of my chive blossoms! My chives are going insane and I can barely control their growth. I love to use the blossoms for garnish in salads and other dishes, plus you can totally eat them!

loaded summer house salad

The dressing here is an herby vinaigrette – specially a MINT vinaigrette! Mint and basil. However, you could always sub in herbs of your choice.

See, I love the consistency of this cilantro lime vinaigrette, like how it almost becomes creamy when blended, but isn’t creamy at all. That’s what this is like! And it’s SO good. And so fresh. 

I could drizzle it on bread alone or potatoes or shrimp or even use it on another salad – it’s very summer friendly. 

loaded summer house salad

I encourage you not to worry about the particulars here. Take these ingredients and create a salad you love.

Really enjoy summer corn? Throw in an extra ear. Don’t like cucumbers (hi Eddie), leave ’em out.

What makes the salad is the refreshing crunch of the product and the minty basil dressing, all mixed up.

loaded summer house salad, up close avocado

I know this salad looks rather fancy, but that is just how I organize it in the bowl. I probably wouldn’t even have the time to make it this pretty if I was taking it to eat with friends, so don’t be afraid to toss everything together.

Because it doesn’t matter! The flavor is great. The crunch is wonderful. Add beans or chicken or shrimp if you’re feeling it. I can’t handle how much we love it!

loaded summer house salad

Summer House Salad

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Summer House Salad

This summer house salad is loaded with crunchy fresh veggies, fresh herbs, feta cheese and drizzled with a mint vinaigrette.
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 people
Author How Sweet Eats

Ingredients

  • 6 to 8 cups spring greens
  • 3 roma tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 radishes, sliced
  • 2 ears of sweet corn, kernels sliced from cob (I like to keep them raw!)
  • 1 mango, peeled and chopped
  • 1 avocado, chopped or sliced
  • ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
  • cup sweet peas
  • cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh herbs, like mint, basil and chives, for sprinkling
  • salt and pepper

herb vinaigrette

  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
  • salt and pepper
  • pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  • Place your greens in a large bowl and toss with salt and pepper. Add on your tomatoes, radish slices, corn, mango, avocado, red onion, peas, feta and mint. Toss everything well. Drizzle with the herb vinaigrette and serve!
  • As a note, you can prep this ahead of time by washing and chopping your vegetables then storing them separately. Wait to add the avocado and feta until serving.
  • herb vinaigrette
  • In a blender or food processor, combine the lime juice, honey, garlic, cilantro salt, pepper, pepper flakes and olive oil. Blend until combined and smooth (some pieces of cilantro may remain). Leftovers stay great in the fridge for a few days! Store it in a sealed container.

Notes

inspired by bbc food

loaded summer house salad

Total staple in my life now.

The post Loaded Summer House Salad. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Jessica’s Book Club: June 2020.

I’m excited to announce our June book club pick, Summer Longing by Jamie Brenner! I read a lot of books in May, but this was the stand out for me. I LOVED IT. Here’s the scoop: “Ruth Cooperman arrives in beautiful beachside Provincetown for her retirement, renting the perfect waterfront cottage while she searches for […]

The post Jessica’s Book Club: June 2020. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

jessica's book club, june 2020

I’m excited to announce our June book club pick, Summer Longing by Jamie Brenner!

I read a lot of books in May, but this was the stand out for me. I LOVED IT.

Here’s the scoop: “Ruth Cooperman arrives in beautiful beachside Provincetown for her retirement, renting the perfect waterfront cottage while she searches for her forever home. After years of hard work and making peace with life’s compromises, Ruth is looking forward to a carefree summer of solitude. But when she finds a baby girl abandoned on her doorstep, Ruth turns to her new neighbors for help and is drawn into the drama of the close-knit community.”

We will discuss the book in our secret facebook group the last week of June – date to come! Follow jessica’s book club on IG and facebook for details throughout the month, and to see what else I’m reading. xo

The post Jessica’s Book Club: June 2020. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Tortellini Caesar Salad

Tortellini Caesar Salad- One part Caesar salad, one part pasta salad…this Caesar Tortellini Salad is completely delicious! Homemade dressing and cheesy tortellini make this pasta salad out of this world and perfect for any potluck or party! Josh …

Tortellini Caesar Salad- One part Caesar salad, one part pasta salad…this Caesar Tortellini Salad is completely delicious! Homemade dressing and cheesy tortellini make this pasta salad out of this world and perfect for any potluck or party! Josh LOVES Caesar salad. It’s one of his favorite sides to make at home or order in a…

The post Tortellini Caesar Salad appeared first on Two Peas & Their Pod.

Chipotle Cheddar Chopped Salad

This chipotle cheddar chopped salad recipe is full of the most delicious mix of crunchy greens, sharp cheddar, tender chicken, fresh herbs and veggies, and a creamy chipotle honey-lime dressing. Today’s recipe is a nostalgic shoutout to one of the American foods that I miss most living as an expat abroad — chopped salads. Specifically, […]

This chipotle cheddar chopped salad recipe is full of the most delicious mix of crunchy greens, sharp cheddar, tender chicken, fresh herbs and veggies, and a creamy chipotle honey-lime dressing.

Chipotle Cheddar Chopped Salad Recipe

Today’s recipe is a nostalgic shoutout to one of the American foods that I miss most living as an expat abroad — chopped salads.

Specifically, those magical, ultra-convenient, store-bought bags of chipotle chopped salads. ♡

Oh my goodness, I practically lived on those chopped salads back in Kansas City before we moved to Spain.  I would toss a bag or two in my cart every time I went grocery shopping, and then pull them out for quick weekday lunches, or sprinkle them on everything from tacos to burgers, baked potatoes, nachos and more.  And ever since we moved away, I have been missing them something fierce!

So over time, I have figured out how to make some of my favorites from scratch here in our Barcelona kitchen.  And while there’s no matching the convenience of those bags of pre-chopped greens (something I will never take for granted in the States again, lol), I will go out on a limb here to say that I think my homemade version of this chipotle cheddar chopped salad is even more delicious than the original!

For starters, I always used to dice up an avocado to add to those bagged salad mixes back in the States, which is a non-negotiable in this homemade version.  I also occasionally like to add in some leftover diced chicken to add some protein, which you are welcome to take or leave.  But I’ve added in a few important flavor boosters here that kick this salad up a delicious notch, such as fresh cilantro, extra-sharp aged cheddar, crunchy red onion and crispy tortilla chips.  And best of all, I’ve tossed the salad with a simple, creamy, honey chipotle lime dressing that is absolutely dreamy.  (Like seriously, go ahead and plan to make a double batch because you’re going to want to drizzle this dressing on everything!)

It’s an insanely delicious salad that we go to the extra trouble (well not really, just 15 extra minutes of chopping) to make from scratch here in Spain because we love and miss it so much.  So if you also love a good chipotle chopped salad, I highly recommend giving this homemade version a try!

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