White Bean, Roasted Red Pepper and Proscuitto Salad

Make this salad to your own tastes–as little or as much of each component as you like. I think you will like it as much as we did. White Bean, Roasted Red Pepper, and Prosciutto Saladoriginal recipe Serves 4 Ingredients: 1 bag mesclun mix, washed and dried 1 cup cannellini (white kidney) beans 1 roasted red pepper, julienned (fresh is best, but can use bottled) 5-6 slices prosciutto (cut into thin strips) White Balsamic-Shallot Vinaigrette […]

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Apple-Blueberry Salad with Apricot Vinaigrette

I bought some awesome blueberries the other day and wish I’d bought more. My little girl has eaten almost all of them by herself. I managed to steal a few of the remaining blueberries and toss them into my salad for lunch. I used leftover Apricot Vinaigrette, but I think this salad would be awesome with poppyseed dressing. And furthermore, now I’m thinking that peaches would be a great substitute for the apples… Apple-Blueberry Saladoriginal […]

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Chickpea Salad

This was supposed to be a new menu in the Summer Menu series. Alas, I cannot lie. The crab cakes you can barely see in the picture (on the left with roasted red pepper coulis) were terrible!  I’ll have to revisit that recipe sometime. So, as a peace offering, I am giving you the recipe for a delicious chickpea salad. It’s really, really good and light and healthy. Perfect for a hot, humid day–I hate […]

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Mixed Greens with Pears, Dried Black Currants and Apricot Vinaigrette

This is a play on a recipe my husband’s Aunt Robin made a few summers ago for a family party. It was such a huge hit that several of our family members continue to make it today and LOVE it. Aunt Robin’s original recipe calls for Arugula, Maytag Blue Cheese, sliced pears, and a sweet Apricot Vinaigrette.  When I make it, I usually add dried red currants, toasted pine nuts and Parmesan cheese shavings or […]

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Warm Potato Salad with Sausage, Apples and Mustard-Shallot Dressing

I originally published this recipe over two years ago. I came up with this recipe because I happen to dislike creamy potato salads with mayonnaise, but I loved the idea of German potato salads made with a warm vinaigrette. We’ve really come to love this easy, flavorful salad as a great main dish for a hot summer night. I’ve made a few revisions that I think make this salad better and even more flavorful. Warm […]

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Marinated Balsamic Chicken

Marinated Balsamic Chicken | CafeJohnsonia.com

  This recipe for Marinated Balsamic Chicken came from a dear friend that my husband and worked with when we were newly married. Our neighborhood and community included many Italian-Americans. Our friend was one of the best Italian cooks I’ve known. And while I’m not sure this is exactly an Italian recipe or not, it’s become one of my family’s very favorite, most treasured recipes.   I usually serve the balsamic chicken over a bed […]

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Spinach Salad with Pork, Avocado and Oranges

Spinach Salad with Pork, Avocado and Oranges Ingredients: One 3-pound boneless pork roast (shoulder or butt are great) 1 bag baby spinach 1 (not overly) ripe avocado, sliced and cut into chunks 2-3 oranges, peeled, segmented 2-3 green onions, thinly sliced–white and green parts 1/2 sliced, toasted almonds sliced olives Creamy Cilantro-Lime Dressing Instructions: For pork: I like to use my crock-pot for slow cooking pork roasts. This was a very lean pork loin roast. […]

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