Well, Mother’s Day was gorgeous. A warm and balmy 70°, we went for a lovely hike and after that, I prepared a big dinner for my husband, the boys, our friends Chris and Larry and their little ones. We had Chicken Marbella (delicious) and a big spinach salad. Chris helped me to surreptitiously photograph the salad above as the hub does not like it when I take food pics whilst we have guests visiting for a meal. Actually, my entire family gets somewhat annoyed whenever I photograph food if it is anywhere near the dinner hour. They just want to eat. And who can blame them!
- 5 ounces baby spinach
- ½ cup pistachios (roasted and salted)
- ½ cup dried cherries
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon orange juice, fresh squeezed
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- In a large salad bowl, toss together spinach, pistachios and cherries
- In a jar, combine olive oil, vinegar, orange juice, mustard and shake well
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad
- Toss and serve
On another note, I’ve had something in the hopper for a while now. I have been passionate about the environment for quite some time. Having children drew my focus in from the macrocosm (environmental consulting for Fortune 500 companies) to the microcosm –family and home.
Each spring I am saddened when people in my neighborhood begin to spray their lawns with chemical poisons. There is such a well documented risk of pesticide toxicity; I worry about all of those dogs and children playing on lawns and rolling around in pesticides.
Therefore, I have launched a new site, called My Dandelion is a Flower. If you like your pesticides, then this website is probably not the place for you, so just skip it. If you are a little bit earthy or organic, then definitely check it out –you’ll have a good time. Unlike Elana’s Pantry which is a blog, updated frequently with my writing and recipes, My Dandelion is a Flower is a static site, full of fun facts and helpful hints. Enjoy!
Ellie says
Can’t wait to try a big bowl of this with my staple salad addition of beetroot. Although it is a bit of a myth that spinach contains loads of protein, it is great for fibre and vitamin – I eat it on its own :) As for pistachios, I swear by them. Tremendously high in protein and the lowest fat nut. I have a bag at my desk, always.
Paul says
Try same with combo of chopped dried apricots, dried cranberries and the cherries. Yum.
Jenn says
What a delicious light salad, was devoured by guests ….I did substitute cranberries for cherries on the fly :)
elana says
Debbie-
So glad you liked it; thanks for the report and happy graduation to your daughter.
Elana
Debbie says
Elana, just wanted you to know…made this salad for my daughter’s graduation party this w/e. OMG! It was devoured. Good thing I quadrupled the recipe. Really nice blend of flavors.
TY
elana says
Hi Gizmar -Yes, it’s different. Luckily my family (and our guests) devoured this salad at our Mother’s Day feast. The spinach with the pistachios and cherries was tasty. I think it would be quite delicious as well with arugula in place of the spinach. If you do make the salad (any version) let us know how you like it. Elana
gizmar says
Pistachios with spinach salad would definitely be a first for me but what the heck – it’s worth a try. I love the dressing recipe – different to what I’m used to.