Active Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Yield: 6 servings

This lighter version of the classic wedge salad replaces bacon and cheese with extra crunch and earthy flavors from bits of sesame seeds and seaweed in the Japanese spice mix furikake. The dressing, essentially a coconut-based ranch, gets its body from coconut cream. For a subtle allium bite, it’s spiked with fresh chives. Make this the grand opener for a dinner party or the main event at lunch.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between coconut milk and coconut cream?

Coconut milk is 10% fat, while coconut cream has twice as much and makes for richer dishes. (Be careful to not confuse coconut cream with cream of coconut, the sweet syrupy stuff used for piña coladas.) Manufacturing standards allow for plenty of leeway in terms of fat and solids content so check the ingredient list on the can and opt for the fewest ingredients possible. Most supermarkets, such as Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Asian food stores, carry coconut cream.

What is furikake?

Furikake is a Japanese condiment made with sesame seeds, seaweed, dried herbs, and fish flakes. There are lots of flavors of furikake; in our tests, we used a nori kimi furikake (just salt, sugar, nori, and sesame seeds).

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

Use leftover dressing just like you would use any traditional ranch: on another salad, as a dip for crudités or wings, in wraps, or with grilled salmon or shrimp. It would also be great as a dressing for potato salad or macaroni salad (which you can also sprinkle with some furikake!). The coconut cream firms up and thickens the dressing as it chills – if you prefer a thicker dressing, leave it in the fridge for longer; if you prefer a thinner consistency, let it come up to room temp before serving.

Make ahead

While the salad is best dressed right before serving, the dressing itself can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Suggested pairing

Choose a substantial, oaky Chardonnay, such as Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay.

Ingredients

Dressing

• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons buttermilk
• 1/2 cup well-stirred coconut cream (from 1 can)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

Salad

• 1 large head iceberg lettuce (about 2 1/4 pounds), outer leaves removed, cut into 6 wedges
• 2 tablespoons furikake
• Black pepper, for garnish

Directions

1. Make the dressing
   Whisk together buttermilk, coconut cream, sour cream, chives, lemon juice, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard in a medium bowl. Season with additional salt to taste. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 days.
2. Make the salad
   Arrange lettuce wedges on individual plates. Pour 1/4 cup dressing over each wedge. Sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon furikake, and garnish with black pepper. Serve remaining dressing on the side.

The post Wedge Salad with Coconut Ranch and Furikake appeared first on Traveling Archive.

The winter months are the perfect time to heat up your home with freshly baked goods. Baketivity is a super fun baking kit option that comes with an adorable chefs hat and child size apron. This. as well as easy to use recipe instructions, pre-measured ingredients and a delicious product. We baked one of the cupcakes kits, not only was it a joy to create, but the final product was a delight too. Baketivity offers single kit purchases as well as subscription purchases.

Little GF Chefs

Baking is a wonderful family activity and Little GF Chefs creates gluten free, allergy friendly baking kits for children, that can be delivered monthly or you can order a one time kit. While they have a big variety of options, we made the Under the Sea Cookie Kit which was such fun and actually looked like the above photo. What many parents will also appreciate is that the coloring for the cookies is all natural made from plants. Also the kit provides step by step instruction to create works of art.

The Under the Sea Cookie Kit makes 18 cookies and includes the cookie mix, icing, plant based food coloring, easy to use recipe instructions and tools to make your masterpieces.

Best part for parents of kids with allergies. “The recipe, mixes, and decorating supplies that come in your kit are all gluten free, dairy free, peanut free, tree nut free, egg free, soy free, sesame free, fish free, shellfish free and artificial dye free.”

Go Go Bird

What a delightful, hilarious fun outdoor toy that will keep you laughing and running. Ours actually flew up and got stuck in a tree the first day using it- luckily a city of Scottsdale park worker was kind enough to help us get him down! It can fly up to 200 feet. So best to keep your birdie away from trees.

This thrilling, flying, and lightweight bird is the perfect blend of a real outdoor activity and today’s trending drone toys. Check it out here. The easy-to-use remote control allows you to fly your bird up, down, around and through targets like hula hoops and more!

Octobo

Got your preschooler at home for the holiday break or home all year. It’s helpful if they know their letters when they attend kindergarten. It is a fun and creative way for them to learn. The Octobo is an award-winning, educational sensory plush robot that enables development in an interactive environment. Through guided storybooks, interactive tokens, and educational apps, your child will learn ABC’s, how to spell over 80 words and rhyme. Be sure to check out the different packages as they offer a variety of choices.

Clixo

A sensory creative toy that broadens the imagination and allows ideas to flow. Clixo is a fabulous toy that allows both kids and adults to create anything their imagination will allow, by clicking the magnetic pieces together. It is a lightweight toy that is easy to carry and relaxing while stimulating. It’s a perfect gift for all ages.

ABC Mouse

Not only are Hexbug Nanotopia hilarious and fun, but the whole family can enjoy the process of putting the playground together. It is a sensory toy for kids powered by vibration technology and has over 130 pieces. With tons of snap-together track pieces and obstacles, this is a vibrant playset to let your nano® loose in. Batteries are included so you can start the fun right away.

Please join my mailing list for the latest relaxation techniques, natural products, greatest toys and activities fo adults and kids and more. Would be great to hear from you so please connect with me!

www.masadasiegel.com * www.masadasiegelauthor.com

The post Fabulous Family Fun Activities appeared first on Traveling Archive.

The “E” Word

Today I gave someone a very valuable gift.

In my property management business, I have to make some unpopular decisions. One of the residents had very expensive repairs done to her home and I had to build a case to bill her for it. She was told about it and she flared up and insisted that it was the Home Owners Association that was responsible for the payment and not her. After much research and deliberation, I believe that legally she really was supposed to pay for this and I was prepared to go to battle with her. This could have escalated into World War III but one thing led to another and the board members decided not to pursue the matter anymore. So I wrote her and told her the good news. I thought she would dance for joy but all I got was “big deal, I knew I was right all along.”

She was unaware that she was inches away from a legal battle. Instead, she felt entitled.

Entitlement is a big thing nowadays. Many have died because of a suicidal terrorist’s entitlement to bring others down with him. Many march in arms because they are entitled to money they never worked for. In California some of the homeless pollute the streets because they are entitled to be taken care of.

Entitlement. Follow it’s selfish path and you lose your self worth. It makes you bitter and never satisfied. Its negativity spreads like a virus. It hurts the unappreciated on the other side. It’s an easy inviting path (I’ve fallen into its trap sometimes) so thank you for defending against it.

But this is just me … and I’m tired … and I’m entitled to my opinion. :-).

TGIF people!

Raoul

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, B.C.  for sharing this joke.

Don’s Puns

Sent by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Assuring Video: Baking Can Be A Real Piece of Art

Thanks to Don of Kelowna, BC for sharing this amazingly realistic objects that are actually cake.

Parting Shot

Thanks to Naomi of N Hollywood who sent this joke.

The post Lemon Squeeze appeared first on Traveling Archive.

No Contest Contest

I didn’t think it was possible. There is a reality TV where the judges are as nice and genteel as can be and still manage to keep the pressure on; where the contestants help each other to do their best even if helping the other person eats up their own time; where there is no prize money and yet the contestants give it all they’ve got for a mere recognition. There is tension. There is drama. There is comedy. And there is clean fun.

I was having this ordinary conversation with Peggy, a classmate in church, and somehow the discussion led to this TV show. Suddenly her eyes sparkled and she got really excited sharing it. Another person overheard our talk and she too joined in with excitement.

Who would have thought that people would be so excited about such a subject? It turns out that more and more people I talked to were also “secretly” watching this show in Netflix. I couldn’t believe it. It actually has a cult following.

So I decided to check out what the fuss was all about. Wouldn’t you know it? I started watching one episode after another. I got hooked! Imagine — a macho man like me, enjoying this “sissy” activity — hard to believe, huh? I rarely bake and I am not familiar with some of the jargon (ie. “over proofed” or “more savory than salty”) — yet, I was glued to the show. I got into the different personalities of the contestants. I was sad when people were cut off from the winning circle. And I love the creativity.

And this is my point: With all the sex, violence, horror, decrepit and shallow drama that Netflix dishes out, this refreshing show gives me hope for Netflix. Here we have congenial personalities and clean witty humor.  What a nice escape. Perhaps a downside to watching this is you get really hungry even though you can’t smell, touch or taste the food. If you’ve got a diet problem, move on. This show may not help.

By now you should know the title of the show, right? Right? Good.

TGIF people!

Psssst! …  it’s the Great British Baking Show.

Joke of the Week

Thanks to Peter Paul of S Pasadena, CA for sharing this joke.

Rodney’s Puns

Funny Video

The Future Politician

Shared by Vanessa of Whittier, CA

Parting Shot

Thanks to Naomi of N Hollywood, CA who shared this:

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