Thursday, August 29, 2013

Thursday's Quick & Easy Salad Bowl

This evening I was busy working on a number of different projects, so I didn't have too much time to spend on dinner. I was in the mood for a good, but quick main dish salad. I had chicken in the fridge that I could have grilled, but instead decided to have hubby pick up a rotisserie chicken on his way home. I had him pick up a plain one (no seasoning) and I cut up the chicken breast meat and used that to put on top of our salads. I cut up a couple heads of artisan romaine lettuce that I get at Costco -- I like it so much better than using regular romaine. I thinly sliced a carrot, shredded some red cabbage, halved some cherry tomatoes and topped it with toasted salted sunflower seeds that served as our "croutons". It was quick, simple and delicious, too. It's easy to eat wheat free, even when you don't have a lot of time to prepare a meal. I can think of at least a million ways to eat well without it...and I plan to work my way through them...one wheat free meal at a time!  ;-)   I snapped a few photos of my easy peasy dinner salad bowl below. Enjoy!





CONTEST IS CLOSED
Have YOU Entered the Swerve Giveaway Yet?

The kind folks at Swerve recently contacted me and have allowed me to offer Gourmet Girl Cooks' followers a chance to win an exciting "Celebration to Summer's End Giveaway"!  One lucky follower will win a:  Weber 22.5” Silver One-Touch, Kettle Grill AND a Three-Pack of Swerve (see below). As most of you that follow me already know, I have been using Swerve for almost a year now and it is my favorite "zero calorie" natural sweetener to bake with. It tastes great and measures cup-for-cup just like sugar, which makes it super easy to substitute in recipes...no calculations involved! It contains no artificial ingredients and comes in both granular and confectioners (powdered) versions. With the upcoming Labor Day weekend ahead, I will be posting some delicious "end of summer" recipes using Swerve...so stay tuned!  Ready, set....GO!  Begin entering now!

P.S.-- if you are already a Swerve lover like I am, and your supply is getting low...Swerve is currently running a special through Tuesday, September 3rd, for $9.99 each (for a 16-oz bag) or you can grab a 6-pack of Swerve for $49.98 ($8.33/each + free shipping). You can click here to grab this special ---> Swerve


HOW TO ENTER:
The winning contestant will be chosen at random (must be a U.S. resident).  To enter a chance to win, all you need to do is: Leave a comment here on my blog and include the words "Swerve BBQ Contest" (1 entry per person per day).  Contest ends Friday, September 6, 2013 at Midnight EDT.  The winner will have 24 hours after being announced to contact Gourmet Girl Cooks (by email at GourmetGirlCooksBlog @ gmail.com) with their shipping address. If no response is received in 24 hours, a new winner will be selected.

*The product provided in this giveaway is contributed by and will be sent directly to the winner by Swerve.

37 comments:

Unknown said...

I can't wait to see your end of summer recipes! I hope to enjoy grilling out while it's still warm and winning the Swerve BBQ Contest would help :)

Anonymous said...

I would love to win the contest Swerve BBQ Contest and win the Weber grill and swerve pkg. I'm new to your blog and am exploring the recipes. I found the link on WheatFreeForum.com and have been copying and pasting your recipes.

I can't wait to try the pizza recipe as pizza is one of the things I've been craving since going wheat free. Thank you!

Unknown said...

Swerve BBQ Contest! Hope I win!

Unknown said...

Sorry if I'm entering twice, but this is very confusing!

Swerve BBQ Contest - Hope I win!

Chris said...

This is a favorite of mine....esp. with toasted pecans but sunflower seeds would be yummy too.
We had zucchini/carrot pasta with leftover cheese sauce from last night.
You so inspire us all!!!
I still would love to win the Swerve BBQ Contest!

Cathy D. said...

Would love to win this Swerve BBQ Contest. Love this blog; it is so helpful.

Jackie A. said...

I would love to win the Swerve BBQ Contest. I have not had the chance to use Swerve and would like to give it a try. I really enjoy your recipes and the wonderful pictures you post of your dishes.

unter der laterne said...

Hi GG, I see that you are stirring things up in a good way !
I tried to buy the Swerve special ( 6 pack for $49.98 but helas it was not being offered, maybe it is sold out.????
Still enjoying your recipes and photos! I met a German Barbara (too funny) and she told me about your beautiful Webpages, we had a good laugh!
Of course I would love to win THE SWERVE CONTEST ! I USE IT SO MUCH FOR BAKING. I just enjoyed the yellow pound cake!
It is very good, thank you! It turned out beautifully . I prepared it in the Cuisineart and it rose very high!
Be well and be safe, Barbara.

Deanna Stevens said...

Tried some of your recipes - good stuff! Love to win some Swerve in your "Swerve BBQ Contest"

Christine Macneil said...

Beautiful salad! Thanks for reminding us that its still possible to eat healthy and wheat free when you are short of time and motivation. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to enter the "Swerve BBQ Contest".

Debbie Lou said...

Your salads always look so yummy! Thanks for sharing. I would love to win the "Swerve BBQ Contest".

Gourmet Girl Cooks said...

Thanks to all of you...Courtney, Anonymous, Unknown, Chris, Cathie D., Jackie A., Deanna, Christine and Debbie! P.S. - I've noticed a few folks that only have "anonymous" or unknown listed -- please make sure there is a way I can identify you to announce a winner next week -- I want everyone to have a chance! :-)

Gourmet Girl Cooks said...

Hi Barbara! Long time no "see"! I'm happy the yellow pound cake turned out well for you. It really does raise higher than any other baked good I have made. I'm sorry you couldn't buy the 6-pk special -- I am checking to see why. Hopefully it's just a glitch of some sort. I'll keep you posted! I hope you are doing well! :-)

Gourmet Girl Cooks said...

Hi again, Barbara! Just found out that if you change your quantity to 6 when purchasing it, it automatically lowers the unit price to $8.33/ea for a total of $49.98 (which is the 6-pk price). I hope that helps...please let me know. Thanks! :-)

Susan Mays said...

Swerve BBQ Contest - Thank you GG. I am still following you and so happy that you are doing so well.

Susan

Unknown said...

Swerve BBQ Contest - GG I don't know if my earlier comment made it so I am trying again. Thanks for the continuing inspiration.

Susan

CyberSis said...

Hi GGC,

We had a rotisserie chicken for supper yesterday. The Costco ones are huge, aren't they! The leftovers will be finding their way into a salad today!

We asked about almond butter while we were at Costco and they said it had been discontinued ... but added that it doesn't necessarily mean it won't be back again sometime in the future (perhaps a different brand.) So that's a bummer, at least for the time being.

Swerve BBQ Contest

Stephanie A. said...

I love your blog! And I would love to win the Swerve BBQ Contest! Thanks for providing the recipes for your delicious meals - I just recently started a wheat-free lifestyle and your recipes and photos are so inspiring and helpful!

Gourmet Girl Cooks said...

Thanks Sue Mays & Stephanie A. I appreciate your kind words...and "Good Luck" in the giveaway contest! :-)

Gourmet Girl Cooks said...

Hi CyberSis! Yes, those Costco rotisserie chickens are HUGE! I always get more than one meal from them -- sometimes 3. I like to use the leftovers on a salad, or in chicken salad...and then in soup (especially if you make your own with the carcass). I can't wait for the cool fall weather to get here so I can start make soup regularly! Too bad about the almond butter at Costco! I believe I still have an extra jar in my pantry. It was such a great price, wasn't it! Good luck! :-)

unter der laterne said...

Hi GG, thanks for the tip(Swerve), it worked out and I am now $50 poorer, LOL!
Heard that you have very humid weather in Atlanta at the moment, I hope that it is not 100%. I would just wilt like a flower!
I like your Photo and wish I could give you a hug! You have a very kind face!
My entry to the contest was faulty, so here it goes:
I would love to win the SWERVE BBQ CONTEST!
P>S> I never win anything! LOL.

Stay fresh, Barbara.

Karen B said...

I love your blog and have made alot of your recipes. Your updated picture is great also, you've accomplished so much! I've used swerve for quite awhile now and love it, and would love to win the Swerve BBQ contest!

Thanks again for your great recipes plus I like that you add where you have purchased this and that. Makes it easier to find the items you use.

Meghan Finley said...

I want to win the Swerve BBQ Contest!

SierraDeb said...

Swerve BBQ Contest!

SierraDeb said...

Swerve BBQ Contest

I'm sorry if this is a dupe, but I can never tell if this is working. I don't see my comment from yesterday.

Luana said...

This salad sound great!
Swerve BBQ Contest

sandy said...

This salad looks awesome. I would like to be entered in the Swerve give away.

sandy.rutkowski@gmail.com

Gourmet Girl Cooks said...

Hi Barbara! Thank you -- you are always so kind -- I don't even have to be able to see your face to know that you have a kind heart and soul. Sorry about the $50 poorer part, but hope that you enjoy baking with the Swerve -- I really do like using it and look forward to the cooler fall weather so I can enjoy baking, making chili, soup, etc. You heard correctly -- our humidity is awful here in Atlanta today. We had a few days respite with beautiful sunny days and lower 70s and breezy...so I'm hoping this will pass soon. Hope you are doing well...{{hug}} -- you just got a cyber-hug! :-)

Gourmet Girl Cooks said...

Thanks, Karen, Meghan, SierraDeb & Luana!

Karen B -- Thanks for your kind words -- glad you like that I post where I get various items - I try to give tips that I'd like to get! :-)

Meghan -- Good luck!

SierraDeb -- your message(s) came through! You are entered!

Luana -- Thanks! I love big salads for dinner in this hot weather!

Katie D. said...

SWERVE BBQ CONTEST!

Betty Anne said...

I love Swerve and would like to win the Swerve BBQ contest.

Bev J. said...

Beautiful salad-your protein and veggies in one bowl. I haven't used Swerve but would like to try it as we use Splenda products right now.

Thanks for a chance to win the BBQ Contest and grill.

Vickie Grissom said...

I love your recipes. Thanks for the chance to win the Swerve BBQ contest.

unter der laterne said...

GG, I felt your *Cyber* hug ! The first one I received! Thank you!

I noticed that you received over 1/2 million views! That is so amazing, your fans are multiplying!

You must be so proud! But I imagine the pressure you must feel to come up with new creations, you do not seem to take a little Holliday, you are amazing!

BW+ BSafe Barbara,

Gourmet Girl Cooks said...

Hi Barbara! Yes, isn't that crazy -- over half a million views? And to think I thought nobody would be interested in my blog any more once I went wheat and grain free! LOL It definitely keeps me busier than I thought it would, but I enjoy it. I hope you are having a good weekend...take care! :-)

unter der laterne said...

Hi GG, I can see that both of us do not get enough *beauty sleep*!
I almost feel bad having sent that post so late or early!(I do not know which way it is) !
I wish that you will have a good *sleep in* and a wonderful weekend. No need to respond!
Barbara.
I would love to win the SWERVE BBQ CONTEST!

Carol and little Sophie said...

The pizza crust was awesome! Swerve BBQ Contest ...
Carol