Smoke Alarms & Spinach Salad

Spinach Salad

Do you remember that episode of Friends where Phoebe can’t get her smoke alarm to stop beeping? It’s not as funny in real life. At 1am the batteries in the smoke alarm in the hall decided to die. Half-awake, I stumble out of bed to find the source of the problem. I take out the battery, assuming that will stop the noise, and start going back to bed. BEEP! Nope, still not gone. In my daze I think maybe it’s the alarm in the bedroom, not the hall. I get out a step-stool and proceed to remove that battery. BEEP! Grrrrr. Not that one either. I think I’m going insane. I go back to the hall and figure out that is definitely the one making the noise. I get out the step-stool and press the test button to see what’s going on. That was a mistake. BEEP!BEEP!BEEP! Non-stop. By this time, I’m pressing the button over and over, “Please just stop!” Then… silence. Blessed silence. I start walking back to bed. BEEP! Unbelievable. I get on the step-stool one last time, unscrew the alarm from the wall, and realize it’s plugged in. Immediately, I unplug it and then wait… ten seconds… thirty… no beeping. Finally. I was almost ready to toss it outside. Needless to say, I need to get a battery today, and a nap would be helpful. 

Because of my lack of sleep and needing to make something simple, I thought I would share something a little more green today, something that doesn’t take much effort. This is one of my favorite salads, although I don’t make it very often because of the candied walnuts. Not because they are difficult to make, but because more of them tend to go in my mouth than on the salad. It is delicious though and really easy to throw together. 

While we’re on the topic of green, I came across another avocado recipe that I had to share, Fried Avocado Tacos. Yes, please.

And, did you know there are certain fruits and vegetables you should keep apart because they will hasten ripening? 

One last thing… if you are stuck in one of the more chilly regions of the country, check out this list of 57 (yes, 57) winter recipes that will be sure to warm you right up.

Spinach Salad

Spinach Salad

baby spinach leaves
crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
candied walnuts
Champagne dressing

All of the ingredients are up to your individual taste. If you like more cheese, add it. More candied walnuts? Feel free. Cupfuls of dressing? Not a problem. Just toss the ingredients together and serve. 

Spinach Salad

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  • http://twitter.com/ellingsenphoto Trude Ellingsen

    Mmm candied walnuts. I sympathize with your dilemma! Thanks for the link on which fruits and veg to keep apart, I had no idea! I love using Trader Joe’s champagne vinaigrette for salads like this. :)

    • http://simmerandshoot.com/ Nicole Rae

      I’ll have to try the TJ’s version. The only one I’ve used is Girard’s.