Fierce Foodie: Spring Salad
.
a blogumn by Roya Hamadani
Don't fear the aparagus and strawberries
After a long winter of soups and stews, I crave the freshness of crunchy greens. I have been on a major salad kick lately, enjoying many tasty combinations such as baby beets and mild goat cheese with a little asparagus. I found iceberg lettuce boring until my sister suggested shredding it with a handful of chopped parsley to give it flavor. Once my garden returns I plan to try the same trick with fresh mint.
Dried cranberries go well with pistachios and feta cheese on romaine lettuce. Shredded carrot and red cabbage provide a colorful alternative to lettuce, and pair well with a buttermilk dressing. I am a huge fan of creamy avocado, especially when it is combined with turkey and bacon. Mango serves this role equally well. Artichoke hearts from a jar provide great taste and texture as well as salad dressing component over strips of sweet yellow pepper.
Some people avoid using fresh fruit in a green salad, but I think the tartness of strawberries combines well with spinach, mild goat cheese, and strawberry vinaigrette. I also adore mandarin oranges with strong flavors such as fresh grated Pecorino Romano or a sesame soy dressing. Blueberries also go well with a mild goat cheese and complement the crunch of slivered toasted almonds.
Salty and sweet, crunchy and soft, creamy and acidic, these are the combinations I try to use in a salad to keep it interesting. And I’ve got one really great combination salad for you after the jump:
Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
6 ounces baby spinach
5 strawberries, thinly sliced
1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
2 ounces mild goat cheese, crumbled
Strawberry Vinaigrette
¼ cup honey
½ cup red wine vinegar
1 tsp salt
1 cup canola oil
2 Tbsp strawberry jam
Mix vinaigrette ingredients in a blender, set aside.
Combine spinach, strawberries, almonds and goat cheese into a large bowl and gently toss. Add dressing to taste and toss once more. Serve immediately.
.
OMG…divine. can't wait to try this one. i also like any sort of greens w/goat cheese & a warm maple dressing with pears. yum.
OMG…divine. can't wait to try this one. i also like any sort of greens w/goat cheese & a warm maple dressing with pears. yum.
i know some people don't care for heart of palm, but i love it and think it would go well in many of the combinations you mentioned. it all sounds wonderful.
i know some people don't care for heart of palm, but i love it and think it would go well in many of the combinations you mentioned. it all sounds wonderful.
thanks! i love hearts of palm so i might give that a try
thanks! i love hearts of palm so i might give that a try
If I ate salad or strawberries, I would so try this. Though, I do like spinach and arugula, so maybe I'll try that with some of your suggestions.
If I ate salad or strawberries, I would so try this. Though, I do like spinach and arugula, so maybe I'll try that with some of your suggestions.
fresh mint is great slivered up in green salads. you've got me anxious for gardening and the crispness of summer foods. thanks roya
fresh mint is great slivered up in green salads. you've got me anxious for gardening and the crispness of summer foods. thanks roya
Hmm…not feeling this. Why don't you write about salted caramels? I can't sleep :(
Hmm…not feeling this. Why don't you write about salted caramels? I can't sleep :(