Salad Obsession
Good morning! I'm hoping that the rain holds up today because I am craving some sunshine! I don't think it's in the cards though.
Last night I hit the gym and had a so-so workout. My head was totally in it, but my body just said 'No thanks!'...has that ever happened to you? I powered through, but it was not a pretty one.
After the gym, I came home and set myself up on the couch. Shaun started playing in a basketball league here in Jersey City so he was out for the night. I was excited to make a 'dinner for one' {and catch up on Parenthood} since it's usually a lot easier and less time consuming...mainly because I'm happy eating just about anything!
I started with a few slices of cheese and some crackers. I also threw together a fantastic salad, reminiscent of the one that Kimberly made for our mom's birthday brunch!
In the mix were spring greens, dried cranberries, goat cheese and a honey-balsamic vinaigrette.
You guys, I am seriously obsessed with this salad. It hits all the flavor notes...sweet from the cranberries and honey, tart and creamy from the goat cheese, sharp from the balsamic...it's a fantastic flavor combination. I usually could take or leave a salad, but when any sort of fruit and cheese is involved, creating a sweet and savory combination, I'm all over it. Thanks to Kimberly for bringing it into my life!
The best part is that this could easy be changed up so many ways and I can't wait to try it! I'm thinking blue cheese and pears (recreating my all time favorite salad from Nordstrom Cafe), strawberries and feta, dried cherries and goat cheese...the possibilities are endless!
So tell me, what's your favorite salad? And what's your favorite way to do dinner for one?
20 Comments | March 31, 2011 | Share Article | Email Article | tagged quick dinners, salad | in Recipes Print Article | Permalink
Reader Comments (20)
i am obsessed too! i have eaten it for about 3 weeks now and not sick of it! its perfect with grilled chicken also but can NOT forget the goat cheese its the perfect addition to the dressing when it has a little kick!
I tend to get obsessed with a good salad too! My absolute favorite is a salad I used to order in OK. It was a grilled piece of salmon with capers and red onions over mixed greens with a delicious dijon dressing. I'm craving it now. Oh did I mention they also had goat cheese on it?!
i would never in a million years think to put anything sweet in my salad,but this looks amazing. as soon as we get a bit of sun over here all i live on in spring and summer is salads,and this will definately be on my list to try
I love to make a salad with walnuts I've toasted to get that added flavor and then add any kind of cheese - either goat or blue cheese works best for me - then fresh strawberries sliced - top the whole thing off with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I find the balsamic vinegar and the strawberries incredible.
That salad does look good! I love adding goat cheese to everything:-)
Mona, strawberries and balsamic is one of the most wonderfully unexpected flavor combos! Love it!
ahh, I love the combo of craisins and goat cheese. I'm a big fan of red grapes in it, too!
as for dinner for one.. I'm actually planning a post on it! I like to bulk up on things like ground chicken and veggies, chop/prepare them, and then put them in tupperware for the whole week and use them for different meals in different ways. :)
I'm partial to a good Chinese Chicken Salad! I love the little mandarine oranges! I also love the premade salads at Souplantation which is pretty much a salad buffet!
I go through major salad phases too - most often the best ones combine greens + fruit + nuts + cheese. :)
I've been craving goat cheese all week long, but can't figure out a recipe to use it in (I'm out of lettuce & all greens) among other things. This salad looks delicious!
LauraJayne, how about a frittata? Or scrambled eggs? I make a great frittata with goat cheese and roasted peppers. You could also just spread some on crackers with a touch of honey...delish!
I saw "Jersey City" and got really excited because I thought it said "Jersey Shore."
I suck.
Anyway, this salad looks amaze-balls. I would totally be all over this.
http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88
I do love me some Jersey Shore!!
Thanks for this inspiration - I have some goat cheese and dried cherries in the house, and I think I'll try something like this tonight. I'll report back to you if I do!
I love reading everyone's salad ideas! I haven't had goat cheese in ages, I will have to get some soon.
I must try that! Lately I've been making this salad nonstop: spinach, pears, sliced deli turkey, pecans, gorgonzola cheese, and raspberry vinaigrette (and, on the rare occasion that I have it, a few bits of bacon...yummm.) My other salad standby always involves apples and blue cheese. I'm always looking for new salad ideas.
Btw I've taken some of your other suggestions, which I love! (e.g. Keebler Club multi-grain crackers; Chobani greek yogurt (my grocery store doesn't carry the pineapple, but I really like the pomegranate); and pasta cooked with diced tomatoes and artichokes). Thanks for all the great additions to my new kitchen staples!
i loooove goat cheese. You should try the honey goat cheese from trader joes. it's to. die. for.
can you send me some of that salad? i'm too tired to make dinner and i just want to gobble it up!!
This salad looks insanely good! Just found your blog. Loving it! Jesica
So happy you found us Jessica!