Ah summer. When I was a kid summer was THE BEST. School was out, the weather was great, there were more things to do and everyone had plenty of time. I grew up in Michigan, and summer was definitely my favorite time of year. I remember swimming and bonfires and camping and FOOD. It was magical. We even ate differently in the summer. Fresh fruits and vegetables were plentiful, whereas they really weren't even available throughout the rest of the year.

As I grew older I somehow lost that summer magic. I moved to southern California with my husband and 3 kids, and summer became just another season, so much like the other seasons. I did my best to create the magic while my kids were young, but by the time they were grown it was gone.

Last year I caught myself dreading summer, and actually heard myself saying the words, "I hate summer." I realized it was time for an intervention. I made a "Summer To Do List" and forced myself to get out there and have fun. I went to the beach, enjoyed Shakespeare in the park, picnicked, swam, watched movies under the stars and ate homemade lavender ice cream AND recruited lots of friends and family to do it all with me. Summer was back! It was such a valuable lesson, as I learned that I have to continue to create my life, my fun.

So as June 21st approaches I've started my new Summer To Do List. I really don't need it anymore, but I'll keep it there as a reminder to create, to enjoy, to have fun.

This blog is part of that. Those of you who know me know that I love good food, and I love to share it with people I love. In an effort to try new things and eat healthily, I've challenged myself to make and share 60 Salads of Summer. My daughter Danica, who is a very creative cook, is helping me. And we're looking forward to sharing the fruits of our labor. I can't promise they'll all be healthy, but I can promise they'll all be delicious. Enjoy!

Sunday, August 31, 2014

59. Baby Beets and Endive with Orange Champagne Vinaigrette



















This salad was inspired by the simple fact that I’ve made a LOT of salads, and not one with endive.  

Seriously, who uses endive?  I’ve eaten it in fancy restaurants, and I’ve seen it in gourmet magazines.  I’ve joked and pronounced it with its correct french pronunciation (on-DEEV or ah-DEEV), just to sound snobbish.  But now I’m beginning to think it’s really an under-appreciated vegetable.   I bought some baby endive, and as soon as i started to peel its leaves away, I was struck by just how beautiful it is.  It’s a little bitter, yet quite juicy.  It really does go nicely with a sweeter dressing, to counter that bitterness.  And it makes a lovely salad.


Ingredients

2 cups baby spinach
8 leaves baby endive (preferably purple)
3 baby beets, sliced into wedges
1/4 cup goat cheese crumbles
2 Tbsp toasted pine nuts
4 orange sections, peeled and halved


Orange Champagne Vinaigrette

2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp orange champagne vinegar
1 tsp honey
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste


Place the spinach in a small, flat bowl.  Arrange the endive leaves in a pattern along the edges of the bowl.  Place the beets, goat cheese and pine nuts in the middle, and the oranges amongst the endive.  Stand back and admire how pretty it is.

Combine the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk.  Drizzle lightly over the salad.  Share with a friend.

Serves 2

No comments:

Post a Comment