Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Summer Salad

Chad and I used to go to this outdoor music venue every summer in Highland Park.  Ravinia is the name and we couldn't wait to see the lineup every year.  We would try to go at least once, but some summers we would go 3-4 times.  Lyle Lovett or Peter, Paul, and Mary, The Indigo Girls, Allison Krause and Elvis Costello are just a few of the acts we saw over the years.  One of the best things about Ravinia was that it has a giant picnic yard.  Grass as far as the eye can see and you bring your fanciest foods and set up a blanket or small table and eat while listening to your favorite artists under the stars. 

One of the dishes I would bring every summer and would only make during the summer was my Summer Salad.  Doing it so rarely seemed to make it more special, but now I make it in every season just because it's so easy, delicious, and because we don't go to Ravinia anymore.  Sad.  

Summer Salad:
romaine or baby spinach leaves or a mix of the two!
granny smith or honeycrisp apples
walnuts
goat cheese 

Summer Salad Dressing:
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
salt 
pepper
  
Take all of the dressing ingredients and put them into an empty jar and shake well or put into a small bowl and whisk.  I put them in a jar and shake away! 


Gather some romaine lettuce or baby spinach leaves.  I used romaine for this salad.
Dice up a granny smith apple or my new personal favorite, honeycrisp apples.
Toss onto your greens.  


Throw on some walnuts.


Get some fresh and soft goat cheese, yum!


Take that goat cheese and crumble it over the salad.  
Pour on the dressing, I like a lot.
Put the leftover dressing in the fridge for another day.   


Summer Salad.
I love it and think you will too!

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