Thursday, January 13, 2011

Three Ways to Toss it Up

Salads always tend to get a bad reputation, often being called rabbit food, mixed up plants and other unflattering titles that serve as an injustice to something that I enjoy so much. In my humble opinion, there isn't a more perfect meal or side dish to whip up! Ever since I was little, I have been the salad queen. Always asking for seconds and never complaining about eating my vegetables, I have loved all leafy greens my entire life. In an Italian kitchen, salad is always eaten last in order to help aid digestion and top off the meal. I remember being most excited about this part of our family dinners every single night. As I have grown older and my taste buds have matured, I find myself being the most creative in the kitchen when it comes to mixing up a gorgeous salad. I always keep baby greens and arugula on hand and like to make it a challenge to see what I can pull out of the refrigerator and cabinets to make a winning masterpiece! Just because salads are often healthy, does not mean that they have to lack flavor, substance and personality. When I make a salad, I pick out the perfect sized bowl, cut up all of my ingredients to fill it and make the dressing right on the salad before I toss it up! (which is why you don't see any exact proportions below) Here are a few of our recent creations and a fall inspired favorite that always does the trick.

Mexican Chopped Salad
(Mexican inspired version of our favorite Greek Country Salad)


Vegetables (equal parts), chopped in large chunks:
Tomato
Cucumber
Red Onion
Avocado
1 clove garlic, minced
Cilantro
Salt & Pepper to taste
Cumin
Olive Oil
Lime Juice


Endive, Citrus & Arugula Salad


1 orange, cut in segments
1 grapefruit, cut in segments
1/2 cup black beans
1 head belgian endive
Baby arugula
Salt & Pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
Olive Oil


Apple, Walnut and Orange Citrus Baby Greens


Fuji apple, cut into thin slices
Toasted walnuts
Dried cherries or cranberries
Mixed Baby Greens
Salt & Pepper
1 clove garlic
Zest of one orange
Olive Oil
Apple Cider Vinegar


2 comments:

  1. I'm with you. I love big salads full of non-traditional ingredients and simple dressings. And these all look so tasty!

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  2. 1. I love how they are all muffin friendly 2. I would like one of each please. 3 I Miss you lovie!!!

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