As the weather has changed from winter to spring, the Slow Travel cooking group switched from soups to salads. A welcomed transition in our house. Although we loved soups, nothing beats a fresh, delicious salad on a beautiful Maui day.
Eden kicked off our salad making with a yummy, health, easy to prepare salad. What more can one ask for from a meal?
Here is what Eden says about the naming her salad, and preparing it:
I am nervous about starting this one as I have not even participated the other " food-making" groups. The salad that I made was inspired by Palma and Jerry's creation using blood oranges, so I could call this Palma and Jerry Salad... or use the one up there because it involved my hunting for my main ingredient... Blood Oranges.
I did not have any recipes, so here goes what came to my mind -
Some greens - use your favorite or a a combination of favorite greens
Blood Oranges - at least two or three if they are small
Berries - I used yellow and red raspberries when available
Dried Cranberries - because I had some and love them
Crumbled cheese - like Feta
Roasted candied pecans
Croutons, if you wish
Eden's really simple put together method:
(I found out that slicing the blood oranges and then peeling them with a knife going around the circumference of the slice was much easier than peeling and segmenting them. This will take the most time, so start with preparing the blood oranges.)
On your salad plate or your serving bowl, start with a bed of greens. continue by assembling the ingredients on top.
Just before serving, you can add the cheese and your favorite salad dressing. I had croutons on the side but no one used them.
This salad seems to be designed with me in mind(thanks Eden:), citrus fruits and berries are my absolute favorite fruits to eat.Combining both in one salad is fruit heaven to me.
I tried to forage the island for blood oranges, I couldn't find any. Ladies at work said they have never seen blood oranges on Maui. So I had to go with naval oranges.I also chose to go with strawberries, because they were on sale at Safeway($4.88 for 2LBS container,versus $7.00 or more for 8 oz other berries). I also decided to add some pineapple chunks since I had some. I used all baby spinach leaves, and added some sweetened walnuts to the mix. For dressing, I used my island favorite: Papaya seed dressing.
I enjoyed this salad greatly, thanks Eden for a wonderful recipe.
I also thank Maria for the beautiful logo.
Go salads!
Comments (7)
Your salad looks wonderful! I'd love to try that Papaya seed dressing sometime.
Posted by Annie | April 27, 2009 6:27 AM
Posted on April 27, 2009 06:27
Hi Candi, your salad looks really delicious. And until I saw your last photo I was wondering what dressing you used. Papaya seed dressing sounds good. I'm looking forward to reading all the great salad recipes this summer. Have a great day!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | April 27, 2009 8:48 AM
Posted on April 27, 2009 08:48
Your salad looks heavenly with the papaya seed dressing. I'm intrigued by this dressing; can you describe the flavor, is it sweet or a bit tangy?
Posted by María I. | April 27, 2009 9:16 AM
Posted on April 27, 2009 09:16
The pineapple says "Hawaii", glad you got some of your 'city' in this salad.
Posted by Marcia | April 27, 2009 12:40 PM
Posted on April 27, 2009 12:40
Thanks all for the kind comments.
Maria, it is more on the sweet side, and very rich in flavor. Essentially, all it is fresh papaya seeds and vinegar, of course with sugar, oil and some spices. Here on Maui, one can buy the dressing or the mix to add oil and vinegar.
I love papayas, and this is one of my favorite dressings.
Posted by candi | April 27, 2009 8:17 PM
Posted on April 27, 2009 20:17
Candi, I love the pineapple addition. In some places, it almost looks like you grilled the pineapple. Yes? Or is it just a trick of the photography.
I'm thinking grilled pineapple in a salad would be awesome!
Posted by Deborah | April 27, 2009 8:45 PM
Posted on April 27, 2009 20:45
Deborah, I had to look at the photo,I think it is just the shadows of the other stuff maybe, The pineapple was not grilled, but that is a great idea! I think I will try that. Thanks Deborah.
Posted by candi | April 27, 2009 8:51 PM
Posted on April 27, 2009 20:51