Thursday, August 31, 2006

The "SALAD A DAY KEEPS THE FAT WAIST AWAY" challenge


savvycityfarmer.blogspot.com has issued a "Salad a Day" challenge, and I am SO ready for it!
Actually, for me it's not much of a challenge, as I manage to get in a salad or two nearly every day anyway!
Just readin' about the challenge a bit ago got me cravin' one, so I whipped up this pretty little number. To the left of said salad, you will see a large glass with a small amount of a red zinfandel.
I personally believe a red zin goes with just about everything!
Red zin is a 3rd cousin, twice removed, to the dreadful white zin we all remember from the 80's.
Don't ever, and I mean ever, get the two confused!
But, I digress.
What this lovely salad photo fails to show you is that moments after creating this masterpiece, daughter Avery spotted me grazing on it.
And the salad goes to....AVERY!
For some crazy reason, a salad made by mom, FOR mom, is far more appealing than the same, exact salad, thrown together by said child!
Do I care???
Not in the least. I am just thankful she finds salads such as this so darn appealing!
Now...to the secrets of my salad making.

ORGANIC (if at all possible)
romaine
spring mix
english cucumber
diced tomatoes
fresh, shaved parmigiano reggiano
dried cranberries

Take your lettuce, place in large bowl, and cut with kitchen scissors till finely chopped.
When ready to eat, this salad will be best consumed by using a large spoon instead of a fork.
You will be amazed at how much more salad you will eat, when everything is being scooped up with a spoon, and not being chased around your salad bowl with the fork! I got this idea from MaryJane Butters book, "MARYJANE'S IDEABOOK-COOKBOOK-LIFEBOOK...for the farmgirl in all of us"
Add the cukes and tomatoes, also diced in small bits
Toss in the extras, such as the cranberries and cheese
Top with fleur de sal and fresh cracked pepper

DRESSING
My all time favorite is a basic vinaigrette from Julia Child

3 teas finely minced shallots
3 teas Dijon style mustard
3 teas fresh lemon juice
here is where Julia and I differ...
I add perhaps 2/3 c white wine vinegar, and she says to add 3 teas.
1/2 c extra virgin olive oil

She says add the oil in a steady stream to the rest of the ingr., but I never do. I toss it all in an old Good Seasons vinaigrette bottle with a plastic lid, and shake it all up.
Refrigerate...but mine rarely lasts more than a couple of days anyway.

Let us know if your up to the challenge! And what a perfect time of year for this! Lettuce, tomatoes and cukes just beggin' to be purchased at your local farmers market!
You can bet that is where I will be come this Saturday morning!

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11 comments:

savvycityfarmer said...

I take it you're in.



Scrumpdillyisous!!!!

savvycityfarmer said...

You MUST take a peek at the farmeress newsy news for the day.
I LOL...been there done that.

Wildside Musing said...

"Red zin is a 3rd cousin, twice removed, to the dreadful white zin we all remember from the 80's.
Don't ever, and I mean ever, get the two confused!"

Amen to that above.

And I'll go outside and pick and fix a salad for supper (which we do quite often) -- how's that for joining in?! (Not sure I read you exactly right...)

monique said...

That salad looks delicious!
We also love to ear salad but only when it's real hot outside or with french fries.Oops, I don't know if I spelled the last word correct..........

kansasrose said...

Count moi in too! Farmer's market be warned! Ok... I confess I drank white zin in the 80's...you are right it is not the same as the red zin...I will be posting some pics of the salads I conjure up too....I have the Mary Jane book too...it is really a good read and her photography is stunning.

homespun living said...

Yum, sounds good...I'll have to try the dried cranberries!
~Debbie

Aunt Jenny said...

I am up for that challenge too! Somehow,even with the hot July we had, I still have lettuce (mesclun mix) that hasn't bolted and the tomatoes and cukes are ripening finally...Salad every day is such a treat!!
And I agree with the salad spoon instead of fork...works great!!

kansasrose said...

Jenny you have such a green thumb you could grow veggies in air!lol I like to "stab" my lettuce and vegetables with that fork...Cyn your salad and dressing looks and sounds so delicious...and I would never have thought to put cranberries in them but it sounds really good!

savvycityfarmer said...

How did you enjoy the famous pasta salad?

What did the creamy ceasar taste like?

Lori said...

Looks and sounds yummy!!

Tea said...

Oh my gosh! That looks like one of the best salads I`ve ever seen!
I`m trying this recipe for sure :)

tea
xo