In 2010, I started blogging after a good friend of mine, Serena from What A Sweet Life, convinced me to start posting all of my favourite recipes along with related photos online. She knew how much I loved cooking/baking + photography. We spent a lot of time chatting about food + photos. She strongly thought I would enjoy posting about both my passions and sharing them with others. I was very skeptical, but Serena is a smart girl + really enjoyed blogging herself. I am so glad I listened to her! I cannot even begin to detail what food blogging has brought into my life. Yay for the internet! *hah*
At first, the only people who read this blog were my parents, my sister, and a few friends. (Thanks guys!!!) But over the past two years, I have been lucky enough to increase readership and meet some of the most wonderful, kind-hearted and inspiring people throughout the process. I never would have thought that I could befriend someone I have never met before. But I’ve definitely made friendships with a variety of fantastic food bloggers that I now consider dear friends – friends whom I plan to stay in touch with for many years to come.
These wonderful friends I’ve made are extra special to me, as we share and understand one another’s passion for food and photography. About a month ago, I was sitting reading blog posts by some of my favourite bloggers, and I thought “how great would it be if we could all meet up, share some dinner and chat until the late evening hours.” Unfortunately, since we are all from different places in North America, we are unable to all meet up for dinner – well, for now at least! So, I thought, why not try a virtual potluck with some of my favourite people.
I suggested the idea to the others and luckily everyone agreed! (Thank you! xoxo) We decided we would hold a virtual potluck on May 21, 2012, and highlight flavours of spring.
So, without further ado, please check out what everyone brought to the Veggie Virtual Potluck :)
First up, I brought the Mango Avocado Salad with Pineapple Mint Dressing. It’s a delicious salad because it plays on the spiciness of the arugula, sweetness from the mango, saltiness + crunch of the macadamia nuts and sour/sweet combo of the dressing. Yum!!!
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups (1 bag) of fresh arugula
- 1 mango; diced
- 1 avocado; diced
- 1/2 cup of macadamia nuts; toasted
- pineapple mint dressing
Pineapple Mint Dressing Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped mint
- 1 tablespoon of sugar (or 1 tablespoon of honey)
- 4 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Method
1. In a small saucepan without oil, toast the macadamia nuts on medium for about 5 minutes, or until fragrant. Note: due to the oils in the macadamia nuts, they can burn easily. So be sure to flip them occasionally + keep a close eye on them.
2. Make the Dressing: In a jar, combine the pineapple juice, fresh chopped mint, sugar, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Shake, shake, shake to combine. Allow dressing to sit for at least 15 minutes before using.
3. Right before serving the salad, chop the avocado and toss with a small amount of the dressing. The acid in the dressing with help prevent the avocados from browning too quickly.
4. Toss the arugula with as much of the dressing as you like. I always put half of the dressing in, taste and then see if anymore is needed. Top the salad with the diced mango, toasted macadamia nuts and avocado. Enjoy!
Source: Baked Bree
And here is what my friends brought to the Virtual Veggie Potluck:
Peaches + Cream
The Vegan Chickpea
Vanilla + Spice
Flavour
Will Cook for Friends
Sunday Morning Banana Pancakes
The Healthy Wife
Hobby and More
Fork + Beans
VIMWAC
Thanks for checking out our Spring Virtual Veggie Potluck. Please be sure to stop by all of the participating blogs for some GREAT recipes.
Also, be sure to check out the blogs of a few others friends I’ve met through blogging! They are always so kind to leave me comments and I appreciate them a lot! They are also very inspiring + creative + talented! :)
this is my kind of salad! arugula, mango, and macadamia nuts?! my plate will be piled high with salad and i’m gonna be the happiest little girl in the whole world ;)
Thanks Caitlin! :) I think this is the first salad I’ve made where there were absolutely no left overs! Everyone devoured it. I think the pineapple dressing made the salad that much more amazing. A nice change from my usual balsamic dressing I use. Thank you again for participating in the potluck! So very appreciated! xoxo
Loved your post!!! :)
Oh Courtney, you’re a gem for putting this all together! The only thing I wish would be different, would be that we could actually eat all this beautiful food!!! ;) Your recipe looks outstanding, and will definitely make it to my plate very soon. Thank you for being such an inspiration! Lots of love xo
Thank you Elaina :) I fully agree! I wish we had been able to try everything out! Everything looked so so so delicious! It’s fun to think about going to a potluck where I could eat anything + everything served!!!! That is such a rarity! Thank you again for participating. xoxo :)
Thanks so much for hosting this potluck, Courtney! It’s been so much fun getting to know everyone and be a part of this. Now, if only we could all get together in person and actually TASTE everything, haha! :D
I agree! This is like a big tease! *hah* I want to try ALL of the food…not just keep eating my salad. LOL
This looks like such a light and fresh salad, and that dressing sounds amazing – so perfect for spring/summer! I agree with everyone – I would love to try each and every dish at our potluck, and I’m so glad you came up with the idea! Thanks for all your hard work organizing :)
My sister flipped out about your avocado potato salad. She asked me to make it for her next BBQ. :)
Thank you so much for participating in the potluck and for helping to make it such a success. I really appreciate it! :)
mango and avocado = you…genius !!
I never thought to use avocado and mango before, but have been seeing the combo on blogs lately. It sounded like a match made in heaven, so I had to try it. VERY much worth all of the hype! *hehe*
i love that springy look of the salad! and you did all this in just today is even more cool. Gorgeous clicks! Thanks for organizing the potluck Courtney!
Awe, thanks Richa! :) Not a problem! I am so very glad you were able to participate! I showed my sister all of the potluck posts and she cannot wait to try your recipes! :)
What a delightfully healthy, potluck! Avocado and mango together in a salad…mad brilliant!
Thanks for the mention, Courtney. :-) I’m constantly amazed by all the wonderful food bloggers who are out there, (and whom I’ve yet to discover)! So glad to be a part of this supportive, yummy, family. :D
You are most welcome Valerie! I absolutely love your blog + all your fantastic recipes/posts.
I agree…it’s unbelievable all of the talent out there in the blogging community! I discover someone new and inspiring every week it seems!
I love the simplicity of this recipe but with amazing taste. Great idea! And thanks for coming up witi this! so much fun :)
Thanks Destini :) So glad you were able to participate! Looking forward to making your quinoa salad this week. I am planning on making a huge batch, so I can bring it to work for lunch every day :)
hey courtney…i did not know about the potluck party. am wondering how i missed it. would have surely added to your amazing potluck had i know about it :-(
What a great idea Courtney! It looks so yummy! Seriously…my tummy is hungry. And I’ve been trying to catch up on everything. It’s before bed and I’m getting really really hungry!! <3
Thank you for inviting me…I had lots of fun!!
You are most welcome! :) So glad you could and were willing to participate!
The veggie burgers look amazing. I am so pumped to try the recipe for the next BBQ I attend! :)
yum! what a beautiful salad! i LOVE mangos and avocado together! mmm mmm mmm! and gorgeous pics! thanks for sharing!
Awe, thank you for stopping by and leaving such a lovely comment :) The salad is soooo yummy! I highly recommend it :) One of my very favourite salads I’ve tried.
Aw, I’m so sad I didn’t have time to get a post together, hopefully I can join in on the fun next time! :) Such a fun idea — so many great recipes!
Not a problem! :) I’m thinking of doing something like an online potluck again toward the end of summer. I’ll keep you posted JUST in case you’d like to “bring” something. Hope you are having a great weekend! Hugs! :)
What an awesome idea! I’ve been behind on my blog reading, but I’ve been catching up on all the potluck posts today. :) Your salad looks gorgeous and the dressing–wow! I don’t like many salad dressings, but this one sounds so good!
Awe, thank you! :) Loved the pineapple juice in the dressing! Sweetened it up nicely, and gave it so much flavour. This is definitely my go-to salad for the summer this year :)
Love the salad and all the other potluck offerings – sorry to miss it!
No problem Natalie! Sounds like you had a great time with all of your travels. :) I’ll definitely keep you posted if I host any sort of online potluck in the future. A Thanksgiving one might be fun! Love thanksgiving foods!
Awww thank you so much for your kind words :) I always love reading your blog ♥
Awe, thank you so much Serena! You are the best :) xoxo
OMG, I’d love to be invited to this potluck. The avocado potato salad looks unreal.
I’ll have to make the avocado potato salad for your next BBQ :) Love you sistah!
Brilliant salad Courtney! so creative and delicious!
Thanks Jenn :) It was so yummy. I’m hoping to make it again next weekend for a BBQ….if it stops raining here! We’ve had non-stop rain for almost a week now. Ah well, gives me more time in the kitchen. *hah*
Courtney you little monkey :) heart you!!
ps. if you do this again I’d love to participate!!