Food and Cooking

This isn't a new idea, but if you haven't tried doing something like this, I do agree with the author that it is a lovely summer/fall treat -- and the local peaches I'm getting are perfect with a strong cheese. Personally, I add a large shot of tarragon to dressings like the one given.

Italicized items in the below are my comments and not from the article.

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So, the magic formula is this: Choose two seasonal fruits, a cheese (feta, blue or goat cheese) and a nut (walnuts, sliced almonds or pecans). These are the changeable elements. The other ingredients stay the same as does the dressing, which let me say is an exquisitely balanced vinaigrette made with apple cider vinegar, raw honey and extra-virgin olive oil - a veritable health-giving trifecta on its own. The dressing makes the salad.

Ingredients:

• 2 bunches or 2 regular clamshells mixed greens (a partial head of red leaf lettuce and baby spinach also works fine)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or sliced almonds, toasted
• “2 fruits” sliced thinly (one type of fruit would also be fine)
• 1/4 red onion, peeled, sliced paper thin (I need more onion than that!)
• 1/3 cup crumbled feta, goat or blue cheese (this list can be widened to any strong cheese, like limburger. manchego, or even a sharp provolone either common or boutique -- but not a mild cheese like typical grocery store cheddar or brie ... though an Epoisses de Bourgogne would work)
• Salt & Pepper
• (I might add thin sliced radishes and/or julienned carrots for color/variety)

Dressing:

• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (I'm tired of cider vinegar and often use rice wine, champagne, or other vinegars)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 shallot, peeled
• 1 clove garlic, peeled
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• ( I add tarragon, but any one of several other herbs would also be nice)