My peppered steak was beyond thrilled when I paired and ate it with my amazing temptation salad. It’s pure simplicity, yet elegant and d’luscious all at the same time. I can’t recall every eating a steak without a salad. In my opinion, it kinda defeats the whole purpose. It pairs so well, there is no need for starchy foods as an accompaniment. It’s instant  gratification. I did eat it with mash potatoes but it would have been simply d’luscious without it.

By the time I finished taking photos of this dish, I was full from eating all the fruits in the salad. Are you like me? I eat while cooking and I’m usually full when the meal is complete, because I keep taking little bites throughout its entirety. Yes I do love my own food very much. A friend tells me repeatedly, “I have never seen any one person indulge in their own product as much as you do.” What can I say? When yuh good…yuh good!

One of my facebook fans suggested that I name this salad “Temptation Salad” and I do agree. Someone else suggested that I call it “Simply Salad” and there is no denying, it is pure simplicity! All I did was toss a few fruits and vegetables that I had on hand to create this healthy eat. Even my dog Rocco loved it.

Let me tell you a little about my dog Rocco. He is one of my son D’Angelo’s birthday gift. When he first came to live with us, D’Angelo insisted that I buy dog food from a Pet Supermarket and not BJ’s Wholesale Club (where I frequently shop for groceries). He claimed that Rocco is just a puppy and needs puppy food. He was only 8 weeks old at the time. Against D’Angelo’s will, I went and purchased Mighty Dog for small dogs from BJ’s anyway. They really didn’t have anything that says “puppy food” so I figured the foods labeled “small dogs” would suffice. After all Rocco was and still is a small dog. He ate it and I didn’t notice any adverse effects. I really wanted to cook Rocco’s meals but D’Angelo went googling dogs and came back with all sorts of results, stating that the dog should not eat onions etc. I really didn’t care what google said. My grandma used to feed the dog anything that we ate. She would often prepare what we call “tun cornmeal” which really is polenta. Jamaicans actually think polenta is poor people’s choice of food and it is often prepared for and consumed by dogs. Boy oh boy, little did they know.  I’m thinking of polenta with cheese and herbs right now…..ooohh let me stop it!  Well that topic sounds like a whole new post to me.

Anyway, D’Angelo finally convince me to go to Pet Supermarket Plus to get a leash for Rocco. He claimed that we could be fined if he walked the dog without a leash. I think it was just a set up to get me to the store. Deep down inside I really do care for Rocco, so I decided to ask the sales clerk what type of food suggestions she had that would be best for our dog.  Boy was I in for a rude awakening! Between D’Angelo and the sales person in the store, who by the way, was very informative and friendly, conned me into purchasing a leash made from soy, toys and food for the dog. Get this…it was organic dog food. I had no idea that dogs ate organic food and had their own line as well. Here’s the bag of blue that I purchased.

She asked, “What kinda food do you feed him?”
I replied, “Mighty Dog.”
She goes, “Oh my, do you know what’s in there, you should really read the label. Let me get you some Blue, follow me.” That was the name of the brand she suggested.
For a minute I thought I was talking to myself., Being an avid food label reader myself, I often preach to everyone that crosses my path: “read the food labels!” I had no idea that was applicable to dogs as well, and blue wasn’t cheap either.
Then D’Angelo mentioned something about me wanting to feed the dog and I was so happy by her response, I could have hugged her.
She said, “He can eat anything that we eat.”
I smiled. That was the magic sentence I had been longing to hear and I’m glad that someone with her expertise said it in D’Angelo’s presence. She was more convincing than I was and I knew he would listen….to her….about dogs….because she works in a pet store.
I said, “See D’Angelo, Rocco can eat anything that we eat and I will be cooking up a storm for him.”
And that’s where it all started…you know….the feeding the dog with my own authentic dishes.

Now take a look at the ingredients on BLUE. They are all dried…and how do you make chicken meal?  Chicken meal? Really? I don’t care how holistic this claims to be. I’d rather give Rocco a home cooked meal with Whole Foods. And you know what? D’Angelo told me that dogs should not eat garlic either, hmmmmn…. there it is clearly on the package: garlic. I should really stop listening to D’Angelo and just feed my dog. I have never seen a dog die in Jamaica due to garlic consumption. I have no idea where this child is getting his info from but his credibility is slowly declining.

Oh my…I went off topic a little….well maybe a lot…all of this ….just to express how much my dog loves my salads.  LOL. I’m a hot mess! Anyway Rocco even ate the arugula, and arugula is one of those bitter  tasting greens. Well enough about Rocco. I want you to enjoy this salad as much as my family and I did, so here is the recipe. I know you will love it!

Temptation salad
8 oz mesclun lettuces
8 oz baby spinach
1 cup of strawberries slice in half or quartered
1 cup of golden grape tomatoes sliced in half
1 cup of blueberries
1 cup of gourmet raisins
4 campari tomatoes quartered

Directions:
Wash Vegetables, strawberries, blueberries and tomatoes with vinegar and water for about 5 minutes (I use 1 cup of vinegar: sink full of water)
Rinse in cold water.
Place berries and tomatoes on paper towel to dry.
Spin mesclun lettuces in salad spinner to dry (or drain as much water from lettuce as possible)
Place all ingredients in a salad bowl.
Lightly drizzle with your favorite salad dressing.
Toss to combine.
Enjoy!