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Beet Caprese Salad

April 7, 2015

Beet Caprese SaladBeet Caprese Salad //

Oh, don’t you just love that summer is approaching rather quickly? Even though we are only in the midst of this spring season, I am eagerly awaiting pretty summer days… filled with lazy pajama mornings, no frantic schedule, loads of time with the kids, endless amounts of sunshine, and light tasty dishes enjoyed alfresco! How about you?

Beet Caprese Salad Recipe via Simply Happenstance #capresesalad #beets

This light Beet Caprese Salad is the perfect dish to accompany a warm day! I’ve had variations of it recently, while dining out. I decided to start lunching on this homemade salad during our Spring Break, since I had a little more time to focus on healthy meals. The combination of fresh vegetables, flavorful basil, creamy burrata cheese, crunchy pine nuts and slightly tangy balsamic dressing is brilliant! Your tastebuds will surely do a happy dance! 

Beet Caprese Salad via Simply Happenstance

Beet Caprese Salad with a Balsamic Dressing (recipe on Simply Happenstance)

The preparation takes mere minutes if you start with pre-cooked beets (that would be my recommendation to you). I bought them in the refrigerator section at Trader Joe’s. The rest of the ingredients you can slice and layer into a bowl or platter to serve. You can omit the spinach leaves altogether, and serve this deliciousness as an appetizer (by itself), or as a topping on warm grilled bread to make bruschetta. 

Beet Caprese Salad (via Simply Happenstance)

Regardless of how you decide to serve/eat it… you will be delighted! The freshness of the ingredients and robustness of flavor really shines through! 

Print Recipe

Beet Caprese Salad

This deliciously fresh Beet Caprese Salad makes for an excellent first course or light lunch during the warmer months of the year!
Prep Time10 mins
Total Time10 mins
Course: Appetizer, Lunch or Dinner
Cuisine: Salad
Servings: 2
Author: Simply Happenstance

Ingredients

  • SALAD //
  • 1/2 pound beets approx. 2-3 medium // scrubbed, steamed, cooled and sliced
  • 1 ripe avocado // skinned and cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes or 1/2 pound heirloom tomatoes // sliced
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil // chopped or left whole
  • 8 oz. fresh burrata cheese //drained and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
  • 1/8 - 1/4 cup roasted pine nuts
  • 2 cups of fresh spinach // rinsed and dried
  • BALSAMIC DRESSING //
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • sea salt and ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • DRESSING //
  • Add the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper together in a glass jar with a lid. Replace lid on the jar and shake vigorously until thoroughly combined OR mix in a small bowl using a fork to combine. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to use.
  • SALAD //
  • In a medium-sized bowl or platter, layer salad ingredients starting with the fresh spinach leaves.
  • Add the sliced beets, avocado, tomatoes, basil, burrata cheese, and pine nuts.
  • Drizzle on the balsamic dressing.
  • Serve and enjoy immediately!

Notes

* You can omit the spinach leaves and serve as an appetizer using the remaining ingredients. Eat this tasty beet caprese salad on its own, or serve with warm grilled bread (to make bruschetta).
* To make this recipe even easier, I purchased my beets all ready cooked and ready to eat from the refrigerator section of Trader Joe's.

 Enjoy, friends! The warm days of summer are drawing near! 
sarasignature3 copy

Filed Under: Food

Classic Tuscan Soup

January 21, 2015

Classic Tuscan Soup | Simply HappenstanceClassic Tuscan Soup //

It’s winter… but I live in Southern California, so it’s not reallllllly winter! I surely can’t relate to those of you shoveling snow and bundling up in your cozy cold-weather gear. Where I live, we’ve had a few days of cooler weather, some rain, and even one day of random snow {can you believe it?}… but for the most part, we’ve had many days in the 70’s. {I’m not complaining, I assure you!}

Despite the warmer weather we’ve had this past week, I do still crave cups of soul-warming food and steaming hot beverages! This Classic Tuscan Soup completely takes care of those seasonal cravings. It’s filled with earthy, satisfying vegetables and hearty white beans. It’s a healthier soup, so for those of you eating clean… this one’s for you! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

Homemade Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons

October 28, 2014

Homemade Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons {recipe on simplyhappenstance.com} #tomatosoup #grilledcheese :: Homemade Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons ::

It’s no secret that Miss Blue and I love watching the Barefoot Contessa on the Food Network. Every one of Ina’s recipes is so tasty and worthy of creating in your own home. I recently sat down with my sweet girl and watched an episode featuring this soup. It wasn’t the tomato soup that had me eager to try it out — but the grilled cheese croutons! How could anyone resist those?!

Homemade Tomato Soup w-Grilled Cheese Croutons {simplyhappenstance.com}-49

I am an avid recipe review reader. I love to read all about peoples’ likes and dislikes when it comes to a recipe I’m about to make. I definitely changed this one up a bit, adapting some of the herbs, adding a bit of sugar, and by puréeing the soup to make it even creamier. I think that you’ll love the result!  [Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches

September 23, 2014

Crock Pot Barbecue Chicken made simple. Perfect weeknight meal.:: Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches ::

I admit it; I get side tracked when it comes to meal planning.  My goal this school year is to use my slow cooker more often and make simple meals, such as these amazing Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches.  It became an instant favorite of mine, and what’s best of all… it makes enough for leftover’s depending on the size of your family.  Of course if all else fails, you can double the ingredients for this Barbecue Chicken and save some for later. Dinner is served! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

Salsa Verde Turkey Chili

September 9, 2014

Easy crockpot salsa verde turkey chili. :: Salsa Verde Turkey Chili ::

Back to school, how can that be? Well it’s time to get back into the swing of things with easy weeknight meals like this Salsa Verde Turkey Chili.  Wow that’s a mouth full, but I promise if my first two days of school have any indication to the year ahead, the crock-pot is going to my new best friend. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

Chicken Sausage Veggie Bowl

September 2, 2014

chicken sausage veggie bowl {recipe via simplyhappenstance.com} #chickensausage #veggiebowl:: Chicken Sausage Veggie Bowl ::

If you happen to follow Simply Happenstance on Instagram… you may have already seen pictures of my favorite lunch! I’ve showed a couple variations, but haven’t actually shared the recipe on our blog. I thought it was about time to do so! 

A few months ago, I embarked on the Whole30. Basically, it’s an eating plan where you eat primarily lean meats, veggies, fruit, some nuts, and healthy fats. {Are you wondering why I would do such a thing? Ha! To torture myself, of course! No… I’m only kidding! If you have questions about it, just leave a comment below and I’ll gladly get back to you!} 

chicken sausage veggie bowl {simplyhappenstance.com}

While on that particular eating plan, I had to get rather creative for my meals {since typical lunches like sandwiches were out due to the bread, condiments, etc.}. I spent the first couple of weeks eating salads, but found that I needed to add more protein to stay satisfied without snacking. I then came up with this tasty meal! {Although, the Sweet Apple Trader Joe’s sausage I used for this particular recipe is not Whole30 approved… I actually ate the Aidells Chicken and Apple Sausage.} [Read more…]

Filed Under: Food

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About

bioSara and Nicole are sorority sisters that simply “happened” to end up in the same small town. They have many things in common, which have set the tone of their blog. They hope that you will join them in their journey of motherhood, dreams that may be, the daily life, and their passion for cooking, yoga, fashion, and design!

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