Mardi Gras

Here's a blast from the past:  My brother, Al, and I, during carnival season in Cuba, dressed up for a costume party.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Mediterranean Rice Salad

Have I got a recipe for you!!!  From the "Fit for Life" cookbook - tweaked a little here and there.  This is truly a winner, especially for busy people who work too many hours and have perhaps a long commute . . . and have a hard time getting in all the veggies that Dr. Oz says we should be eating on a daily basis . . . or for those that want to cut back on meat a little . . . but enough about me . . .   No really, this is sooo easy!  And sooo delicious!  Have I ever steered you wrong???  This is what you do:

Take out your salad bowl and add some romaine lettuce . . .  No measuring required!  Isn't it great?  Just add or subtract quantities according to your whim, or the contents of your refrigerator . . .

Add some baby spinach . . .

Add some julienned sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil, drained . . .

Add some pimiento-stuffed green olives . . . Or experiment with black olives, if you like . . . I won't tell . . .

Add some cooked brown rice.  I use Trader Joe's Jasmine Brown Rice - love it, love it, love it!

Add some zucchini that has been lightly sautéed in olive oil and fresh garlic . . .

Shake your favorite vinaigrette, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to taste over the whole thing and toss to combine . . .  Go easy on the dressing, you'll find you don't need a whole lot!

Voilà!  Or more appropriately . . . Presto!  My husband loved it, and he didn't even miss the meat!  I'll be making this one again.  Buon Appetito!

A Very Valentine

Very fine is my valentine.

Very fine and very mine.

Very mine is my valentine very mine and very fine.

Very fine is my valentine and mine, very fine very mine and

mine is my valentine.

—Gertrude Stein

*Strawberry marshmallow hearts from World Market.

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for this week's Tablescape Thursday blog party.  Please stop by to see admire the creativity of these amazing tablescapers.