results for salad

spring kale salad with apricots and goat cheese

May 21, 2013
I usually love ordering kale salad at restaurants. They make it taste so good/so much better than I could make it. That was until I learned a little secret. You need to let the kale sit with the lemon juice for at least 15 minutes so the acidity in the lemon can break down some of kale’s bitterness. Since learning that, I’ve been making kale salads on a weekly basis. I love the salads with dates and blue cheese, but apricots and goat cheese seemed a little more fitting for spring. If you want to give it a little kick I’d definitely recommend adding the red pepper flakes. SO good and healthy!
Spring Kale Salad with Apricots and Goat Cheese
makes 4 servings
INGREDIENTS
2 bunch of kale lettuce, stems removed, rinsed thoroughly and dried
juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 shallot, minced
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed black pepper (or red pepper flakes if you want a little kick!)
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 apricots, sliced
2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
2 tablespoons slivered almonds 
DIRECTIONS
Whisk lemon, shallot, honey, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Add kale and toss well. Allow to sit for 15-20 minutes. Then add olive oil. Refrigerate for up to a day, or serve immediately with apricots  goat cheese and almonds.
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It seems slightly silly writing out this recipe because it’s so simple, but hopefully it’s a new variation, that you might not have tried before. What are your thoughts on kale salad? Have you had them in restaurants or made them yourself? If you have any favorite combos please share below!
xox

potato salad with olives and peppers

March 5, 2013
I crave potato salad in the middle of summer and also in the middle of winter. However it’s a nice change to have a warm potato salad and this one is best warm or at room temperature. I love the fresh olive oil dressing with the kick of red pepper flakes. I decided to roast the bell peppers in the oven, which took a little more time, but the flavor was so worth it. This potato salad is light, mayo-free, and would be perfect any time of year!

Potato Salad with Olives and Peppers from Gourmet June 2007
makes 6 servings {I cut recipe in half}
INGREDIENTS
3 garlic cloves
3 tablespoons Sherry vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 teaspoon dried hot red-pepper flakes
5 tablespoons olive oil
3 pound hot cooked small boiling potatoes, quartered
2/3 cup bottled roasted red peppers (4 ounces), rinsed, patted dry and chopped {I roasted them in the oven instead. A good tutorial here.}
2/3 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
1/3 cup pitted brine-cured black olives, halved {I used kalamata olive}
DIRECTIONS
Mince garlic and mash to a paste with a pink of salt using side of a large heavy knife. Transfer to a large bowl and whisk in vinegar, salt, and red-pepper flakes, then whisk in oil.
Add hot potatoes to vinaigrette and toss to coat. Let stand until potatoes cool to warm, about 30 minutes, then stir in peppers, parsley, and olives. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
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Do you have any dishes you like making year round, with slight modifications?
xox

mediterranean quinoa salad

January 15, 2013
Did you guys see that incredibly ridiculous, slightly funny, basically true YouTube video last year that’s based around a Whole Foods parking lot on the Westside of LA? Well if not, you should. It will hopefully make you laugh on this Tuesday morning, and also inspire you around the 2:24 mark to make some quinoa! Matthew is always touting quinoa’s superfood greatness so it has become quite the staple over at our place. This salad is incredibly easy to make, as you’ll see below with the four lines of directions. It makes a perfect lunch or light dinner, and there are so many mix-in possibilities. We’ve made this recipe twice in the past week so you better believe it’s good!

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup of dry quinoa
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 shallot, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
2 scallions, sliced thinly
1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted and shipped
1/2 cup tomatoes, chopped
2 Tablespoons capers, drained
2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup cucumbers, chopped

DIRECTIONS
Cook quinoa according to package. Set aside.
Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, shallot, oregano, mustard, and sea salt until smooth.
Pour vinaigrette over quinoa and stir until blended. Add parsley, scallions, olives, tomatoes, capers, cheese and cucumbers. Stir and serve!
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Are you a fan of quinoa? I’ll admit it take me awhile to come around to it, so if you’re a little skeptical I’d definitely recommend trying this recipe!
xox