celebration salad

Here's what was cooking in my kitchen today:

 

And the end result, thanks to Mom, Miranda, Martha (in absentia), and experimentation with electrical tape:

 

I think the Easter bunny will be proud. It sure was fun!

More fun is on the way for our family's special holiday dinner. Mom is cooking (yum!) and I have the pleasure of just bringing the salad. That's one thing that I get asked to do a lot as a veggie girl - bring the salad. And, I have just the salad to bring for Spring: my version of Tom and Beth's Mandarin Salad.

Tom and Beth are perhaps the most delightful couple on Planet Earth. I had the pleasure of taking yoga classes from Tom for about 10 years and our friendship grew and flourished during that time. His heartfelt, humorous, and deeply wise insights into life are a true blessing in my life. Plus, he's a total nut. In the best way possible. :) And, Beth is a treasure of gentleness and warmth. Together, they are the picture of love, which they so generously radiate into the world.

Tom and Beth are creating a beautiful retreat center, Timber Creek Hearth House, which you are welcome to learn more about here. We had the pleasure of visiting their gorgeous land and enjoying a lovely meal together in August 2002 in which we were served a most delicious salad. (How do I know the date? In a rare moment of archiving brilliance, I saved the email they sent with the recipe I requested and made sure that I noted the date. I wish I did this with all of the recipes shared with me by friends! What a fun history that would be in my recipe box. I will start today.) And, so, receiving that recipe has led me to make this delicious salad over and over again, for countless celebrations, remembering each time the kindness of Tom and Beth. That's how I think of this salad - in celebration. In friendship. Together, pure deliciousness. I hope you enjoy.

Celebration Salad
based on Tom & Beth's Mandarin Salad

In your favorite large salad bowl, generously toss together:
organic leaf lettuce
organic baby spinach
2 cups chopped celery
4 organic green onions, thinly sliced

Drain 2 - 3 cans of mandarin oranges (in juice, not water), reserving 1/2 cup of the juice. Gently sprinkle the oranges on top and enjoy their glowing loveliness!

 

Mix the dressing in your favorite cruet:
1/2 C extra virgin olive oil
1/2 C mandarin orange juice
4 tbsp. red wine vinegar
3 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley (or dried if not in season)
dash salt and pepper

Shake well and serve with toasted almonds on the side. I have also topped this salad with gorgonzola, or strawberries, or sugared almonds. Make it your own for your own celebrations!