Cilantro-Lime Rice

Contributed by Jenn Iverson
From Martha Stewart's Everyday Food

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• Coarse salt
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 garlic clove

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil. Add rice and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cover, and reduce to a simmer. Cook until water is absorbed and rice is just tender, 16 to 18 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a blender, combine cilantro, lime juice, oil, garlic, and 2 tablespoons water; blend until smooth. Stir into cooked rice, and fluff with a fork.

This recipe is great how it is.  Sometimes I get lazy and just put the rice and salt in the pot, add lime juice, oil, 1 frozen Trader Joe's garlic cube, and 3 frozen Trader Joe's cilantro cubes.  Then I just cook the rice like normal and then mix it all together when it's done.  It turns out great and is super easy!

Winter Fruit Salad with Lemon Poppyseed Dressing

Contributed by Jenna Mullen

Taken from www.allrecipes.com

  Ingredients

• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons diced onion
• 1 teaspoon Dijon-style prepared mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
• 4 ounces shredded Swiss cheese
• 1 cup cashews
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1 apple - peeled, cored and diced
• 1 pear - peeled, cored and sliced

Directions

1. In a blender or food processor, combine sugar, lemon juice, onion, mustard, and salt. Process until well blended. With machine still running, add oil in a slow, steady stream until mixture is thick and smooth. Add poppy seeds, and process just a few seconds more to mix.
2. In a large serving bowl, toss together the romaine lettuce, shredded Swiss cheese, cashews, dried cranberries, apple, and pear. Pour dressing over salad just before serving, and toss to coat.