Salad Days . . .

Naturally, with the onset of summer weather, dinner ideas are likely to include salads. I don't know how many times I've purchased wonderful salad greens, come home, wash them, and then discover we are out of salad dressing.

After doing more label reading, however, I have been into home creation salad dressings. Not only are they less expensive but I, personally, know what is going into the food I'm setting before my family.

A popular 'gourmet' dressing is raspberry. If you have raspberry jam (seedless variety!) on hand, you can soon have just enough dressing to fix your salad and save yet another trip to the store. This is a try and taste proposition. Start with a tablespoon of the jam. Add some lemon juice, salt, pepper, a smidge of cayenne and you have a something different and tasty. This is just a basic premise. You can make it as thick or thin as you like it, as spicy as suits you, and as exotic. A touch of dried Chinese hot mustard really perks it up. That is why I'm not setting out definite recipes. For one thing, mine never turn out the same. For another, I don't know you and your family's tastes. I'm giving suggestions and, hopefully, some inspiration!

Apricot or orange marmelade can be thinned out with some salsa for either a strong dressing or a basting sauce for chicken.

Plum jam/jelly can be turned into an Asian sauce with some grated ginger and braised, chopped garlic.

Grape jelly can be changed beyond recognition.

I guess what I'm trying to share is that you have the ingredients in your cupboard to create and you don't always have to rely on a bottled item to put a great salad on the table.

In addition, don't forget the add-ins of grated cheeses, Feta cheese, chopped olives, mayo, etc. If you use good ingredients, you will get something tasty in return.

Always gets the last word . . .

My husband enjoyed his Father's Day especially the homemade cheesecake. I usually make a low-fat version and although there is no taste difference, my husband insists the fat makes the dessert. In honor of Father's Day, he got the full-fat version. I made a small one that would cool down in time for dessert last night and a larger one to enjoy today.

Before he went to bed, last night, my husband posted a note on the refrigerator for my son who get up before everyone else in the morning that said: "Cheese cake is for dessert, not for breakfast or lunch". This morning, a post it note was found attached to the first sign that said "What is your policy on midnight snacks?"