Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

I love a well dressed salad. I want my salad  the way I used to like my pints of Ben and Jerry’s…full of chunks of the good things. I want to see mammoth hunks of apple, plump dried cherries or grandiose veggies that cradle the dressing like a tidal pool. Give me enough nuts to satisfy a forest full of squirrels  and a dressing that I would drink if that weren’t just wrong.

Photo By: S. Duquet

Yesterday was a super busy day so we had Baked Potato Soup (click for recipe) waiting in the crock pot and a spinach, pear and walnut salad. The dressing that Sandy stirred up in two seconds will haunt me until we have it again.  As I ate this most unbelievable salad I felt like I was cheating on  the more hedonistic side of myself. It felt scandalous to love a salad that much.

Could I really fall madly in love with a salad dressing? The mustard and dill with the  pears,  spinach and walnuts is so pleasantly salty, sweet and crunchy, it will leave you wanting more.  Try it for yourself and see.

Dilly Dijon Dressing

By: S. Boulton

Ingredients

1/2 C of mustard (I used a mixture of Dijon and yellow, about half each)

1/3 C of white balsamic vinegar (more to taste/texture) Could use white wine or champagne vinegar.

2 Tbsp of agave (more to taste)

1 Tbsp of olive oil

1 Tbsp of liquid aminos (could substitute with soy or salt)

1 Tbsp of dried dill

1 Tbsp of garlic powder

Make it happen:

This is easy, just whisk all the ingredients together until well blended.  If it seems too thick, add some vinegar, if it seems too thin, add some mustard.  The cool thing is that this really is about taste to your palate.  Make it sweeter if you choose or make it more tart if you prefer.  Fresh chopped garlic would make it more interesting, I used powder because I was pressed for time.

Photo By: S. Duquet

Spinach, Pear and Walnut Salad

By: S. Duquet

Ingredients

4 oz Spinach

1/3 C raw walnuts ( I left them in chunky pieces)

1 Bartlett pear sliced

1/2 of the Dilly Dijon Dressing

Make It Happen

Toss to Coat and hide somewhere to consume the entire bowl.  Realistically makes enough for two large servings.

Makes enough dressing to dress four large salads. We put the left extra dressing in the fridge for the next day.

Have a delicious day.

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