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The Café has been on the road for the past ten days visiting family and friends. We're home again and, back"in the saddle"; for me, that means back in the kitchen. I'm having fun creating new recipes inspired by our travels and the season.
We spent time with two of my sisters and a dear friend, all three of them fabulous cooks. We also ate lots of really fun meals out and, to put it in a nutshell, overindulged just a wee bit. I came home feeling like it was definitely time to behave again and started pulling out some of our recipes for favorite fall salads. I thought you might be in the same boat; looking for some healthy, lean and delicious recipes.
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Honey-Cumin Vinaigrette - This salad is perfect for your most fancy-dancy guests, though your family and friends will be quite smitten with the delightful combination of sweet, salty, creamy, crunchy, smoky, fresh and vibrant ........ get ready for rave reviews!
Butternut Squash and Smokey Ham Quinoa - A crazy good, super healthy fall salad. This recipe includes the way to cook perfect quinoa too.
Roasted Butternut Salad with Barley and Candied Bacon - I've gotten emails from people all over the place who have fallen in love with this salad. I think everyone loves it because it's loaded with really healthy ingredients, but has a unbelievably delicious splurge with - are you ready? Candied bacon! (This salad is also pictured at the beginning of this post.)
Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Apple Salad with Cider Vinaigrette - This one seems to scream "fall". If you think you don't like Brussels sprouts, I have a feeling you'll change your mind after taking one bite of this delicious salad. My brother-in-law can't stand the thought of them. My sister and I made this salad and he happily gobbled it up - after dinner we told him it was shaved Brussels sprouts and he couldn't believe it! It might be the cider and bacon dressing that takes it over the top, but this salad has been a fabulous winner with everyone who's tried it.
Massaged Kale and Butternut Squash Salad with Warm Apple Cider Dressing - I didn't think I liked kale in salads, till I tried this simple technique. I thought it was too "chewy" or something ... Now I've totally changed my mind, and kale is on our menu quite frequently. This one's a favorite with roasted butternut squash, pomegranate arils and bacon. It's so pretty and so tasty!
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Of course Scott had his camera on his shoulder at all times during our trip, which included Chicago, southeastern Wisconsin and Nashville. Here are a few highlights through his lens.
It was a wonderful trip, but a bit of a whirlwind. We were so happy to sleep in our own bed, get back into a routine - and a healthier diet. These Fall Salads will help. Hope you enjoy them!
Chit says
What lovely sisters and looks like a beautiful relationships as well! I love your gorgeous settings, recipes and posts!
Danae says
Hi Chris,
What beautiful pictures, of you and your sister, and how lucky she is to have such breathtaking views on her own backyard, love the salads they look just delicious and pomegranates are my favorite, they make everything look more festive. The reason for my e-mail though is 'cause I subscribed to your blog awhile back and always loved getting all the new recipes and such, and as of late I haven't received anything, I checked my spam and nothing there either, so I had to Google your blog and tried to subscribe again but was told I'm already in, can you please check as to why I'm not getting updates, I really love your blog and was very disappointed in not getting any updates.
Many Thanks,Danae.
Chris Scheuer says
We've changed servers so hopefully that won't be a problem anymore. Thanks so much for letting us know!
Linda says
You have a very nice blog. Your photos are lovely and your recipes are divine!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Travels to visit families and friends are the best! Lovely array of fall salads. Looks so colorful and divine 🙂
Sandra says
Big thanks to you and Scott for sharing your travels with us. The stories and pictures are wonderful as are these beautiful salads.
easyfoodsmith says
I lovr each of those salads. Your sister and you look beautiful 🙂
Renee Wilson-Wright says
Usually I check in with you to see what great new recipes you have. The salads look delicious, and like you, I have overindulged a bit and these salads look like just the thing to get me back on track. Please let George know that while the recipes are great, his vacation photos are spectacular!! Hope you had a wonderful time.
p.s. the Chicago "El" is sort for elevated. While I have never used their mass transit system, it is just like the subway system in NYC where I am originally from.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Renee!
Liz says
I always love your salads, Chris! Thanks for the delicious round up! We're heading to Chicago in a few weeks and I've always wanted to the architectural boat tour...fingers crossed for good weather!
Debra says
Thanks for all the lovely salad recipes and letting us share your your trip. The photos are wonderful. It makes me want to go back to Chicago soon!!!!
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
I am so glad you got to see your sisters, Chris!!!
What a gorgeous lake view... and each one of the salads are mouthwatering. They are perfect to welcome Fall!
sue/the view from great island says
These photos are incredible! I just took a trip with my sister and you are right, there's nothing like that bond...and when are we going to get a peek at that prize winning meatloaf recipe??
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says
So glad Scott takes his camera along on your trips. Looks like a great time, but I'm always happy to be back in my own bed too. Thanks for the inspiring fall salads. Each one looks delicious and I am looking forward tothe fresh crop of Georgia pecans for salads .
Sam
Beverley Press says
First of all lovely recipes which I'm sure I will enjoy. Next how wonderful to spend time with your adorable sister. The photos are perfect as always. Thank you for showing us your life through your recipes and photos xoxo
lena says
all your salad recipes are great, i hope i can slowly try each one of them in my own kitchen . You and your sisters looking beautiful, chris i hv to tell you that you are a very modern looking grandma..! never been to chicago, infact nvr been to the usa, hopefully it wont take me long to visit your country
Ilona @ Ilona's Passion says
I used to live in Chicago, beautiful city:) What a great collection of salads!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Looks like you had a great trip! Love these fall inspired salads and their vibrant colors/textures!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I'm one of the people who wrote about that salad! My family loved it!
Back when the old Ryman had been closed about a week, we visited Nashville and went to Opryland. The next day we drove by the old Ryman and stopped and walked around. The security guard came out and we got to talking and he gave us a tour of the building. It was SO cool. On the stage, the dressing rooms, everything. Great memory. It's nice to know everyone can visit.
Summer's nearly here and that means salads to me.
Happier Than A Pig In Mud says
What a fun trip Chris, looks like you all had a blast! As for the salads, I'll have the one with bacon please:@)
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm says
LOOOOVE this cannot wait to try some of these! Great ideas here Chris!
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Those salads are so delicious and beautiful. I love that table set-up..so sweet and lovely.
Vicki Bensinger says
It looks like you had such a great time visiting your sisters. We,'re 3 girls in my house too. Lots of great nutritional recipes, full of flavor, color and texture. As always Scott great pics. Thanks for sharing Chris.
Monique says
What a LOVELY family..Great genes!!
Scot..you always take such lovely pics..
So when is your cookbook you guys?
Brenda says
I immediately "pinned" the salad recipes; they all sound great. It looks as if you had a great time with your sister. A year ago, my sister and I took our first trip to Chicago. We had great meals at Topolobampo, Next, and a seafood restaurant that I can't recall the name of. We took the architectural cruise, and LOVED it. I long to go back to Chicago.
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks Brenda, we love Chicago and it does have amazing restaurants!
Ginny Hartzler says
You and your sisters are so beautiful!!! And Marlene's table is just gorgeous. I especially like your shot of the Chicago rover with all the skyscrapers on either side, kind of ironic to have pretty nature and huge skyscrpers together so close! Your cornfield with the white fence is also so pretty, looks like around here. The salads are brilliant. and I men that both ways: in concept and beauty.