About a year ago I promise to share my salad recipe with you and I just found the picture I took to show with the recipe, so I think it high time to share with you my Sweet Summer Salad.
Ingredients (I apologize for lack of measurements. I kind of just eye-ball it):
Baby Spinach
Asparagus
Blackberries
Apple (I use Royal Gala)
Pear
Red Onion
Blue Cheese (not too soft; you need to crumble it)
Candied Walnuts (I just found these at the grocery store, but you can find a recipe online here to candy them yourself if you prefer)
2 tsp Maple Syrup
1 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 tbsp Olive Oil
1 tsp Lemon Juice
Fresh-Cracked Black Pepper
Instructions:
Rinse all vegetables and fruit. Bring water to boil in a large pot. While water is boiling you can Chop up the apples, pears, and red onion and put them in a large salad bowl with the baby spinach.
Using tongs, so you don't burn your fingers, dip the pieces of asparagus in the boiling water for about 10-20 seconds for each stem. Place asparagus in a colander or sieve and run under cold water and place in the fridge to chill.
Put maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of the cracked pepper in a clean jar. Seal the jar with its lid and shake it vigorously until the ingredients are well-combined. Set aside.
Chop up the now-chilled asparagus and add to the salad bowl. Add the candied walnuts and crumble some blue cheese on top. Toss all the ingredients in the salad bowl and you can either add the dressing yourself or serve it separately to allow diners to put the amount they desire. (I do it myself so that no one tries to eat the salad without putting this tasty salad dressing on first).
Eat and enjoy! Try not to hurt yourself from being swept off your feet by this one!
Francesca
