Red Onion Salad

This has to be one of my all time FAVORITE salads. It is totally unhealthy, I am sure, but it makes you feel like you are eating healthy.

The Dressing {and the BEST part}
1/2 of a Red Onion
1 1/2 Tb. Poppy Seeds
3/4 cup Vinegar
1 1/2 cup Oil
3/4 cup Sugar
1 1/2 tsp. Salt
3/4 tsp. Dry Mustard

Put all ingredients together in a blender and blend until smooth.


Salad Mixin's
Lettuce
Baby Spinach
Strawberries (sliced)
Mushrooms (sliced)
Swiss Cheese (shredded)
Bacon (crumbled)
Almonds (sliced)

Toss all salad ingredients in large bowl. Serve with dressing on the side.

Apple Cake

The picnic and BBQ season is here, and if you want a real crowd pleaser, bring this Apple Cake. It is a recipe that my mom has been making ever since I was little. I'll be honest. The first thing you take this two it may not get eaten all the way because it doesn't look all that special... but word spreads, and every event you take it to after that there won't be a morsel left to bring home.

Give it a try, it is simple and definitely scrum-diddly-umptious!

Fresh Apple Cake

Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine these ingredients until well coated.
2 cups Sugar
3 cups Flour
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Nutmeg
4 cups granny-smith apples (about 4 apples), peeled, cored and chopped.

Tip: I usually mix all of the dry ingredients first and the stir in the apples.

In a separate bowl, beat together:
3/4 - 1 cup Oil
2 tsp. Vanilla
2 Eggs

Add this to the apple-flour mixture and mix well. Fold in 1/2 cup of nuts, if desired (I don't think I ever have). The batter may look too thick, but don't add any more liquid. Press into two 8" square pans, two round cake pans or one 9"x13" pan (I always do the 9"x13"). Bake 45-60 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean. Sprinkle liberally with white sugar (don't be shy, use several tablespoons) while hot out of the oven. Good served warm with whipped cream or ice cream {or BOTH!}.