Today is my Wednesday Unplugged so I’m relaxing and cooking today…enjoy your day!
The recipe I am sharing this week is my family’s favorite salad. The salad fixings are just a simple combination of some of my favorite flavors and textures. I remember many years ago a work colleague asked if I was a fruit or a vegetable person. I had never thought of it that way before, I like both…but I guess if I had to choose one it would be fruit. Maybe that’s why I nearly always include fruit in my vegetable salads.
The dressing actually started with a trip to visit my cousin in Sacramento, CA. Her husband came back from the Farmer’s Market with a special gift…an exceptional, locally made balsamic vinegar. When I brought it home it became the basis for a wonderful balsamic dressing. As I came to the end of the vinegar bottle I wondered how I would replenish my supply. Imagine my surprise and delight when I found the same Bariani Balsamic Vinegar in our local Byerly’s grocery store! It’s more pricey than most other balsamic vinegars but the flavor of the vinegar is key in recipes where it is transparent, such as in this dressing. In my estimation, it’s well worth the extra cost!
"There are things you do because they feel right & they make no sense & they may make no money & it may be the real reason we are here: to love each other & to eat each other’s cooking & say it was good." ~ Brian Andreas
RECIPE(S) OF THE WEEK
PEAR SALAD WITH BEST BALSAMIC DRESSING
Blend of romaine and red leaf lettuce, in bite sized pieces
Pear(s), peeled and sliced thin
Walnuts, broken into pieces
Feta cheese, crumbled
Best Balsamic Dressing
Combine romaine, pears, walnuts and feta cheese in amounts suitable for the people you are serving. Toss with dressing, serve and enjoy!
BEST BALSAMIC DRESSING
3 T. Bariani balsamic vinegar
2 T. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 T. Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup extra light olive oil
Full squeeze honey
Combine all ingredients in shaker container and toss with salad. You will likely not need the whole amount of dressing, refrigerate for another day.
