summer salad

I just love summer. It's a season that has always been overshadowed by Spring in my opinion. But this year, maybe because of the giant (green) tomatoes in my garden, I've learned to appreciate it a little more. A week or so ago, I whipped up this salad when I was craving some fresh fruits and vegetables. Obviously after a long day of work + gym + dog walking + who knows what else, I had to add a little lean protein. So I threw in some chicken breast that I had cooked the night before. (I'm really  getting into food prepping on Sundays!)

This salad reminds me of one I had a couple of months ago on a vacation to the Washington coast. We stayed in the beautiful town of Pacific Beach, WA and got some sand between our toes. There was a charming little restaurant, called Mill 109 that we visited for dinner and brunch.

One night I had a starter salad with pears, almonds, and a honey vinaigrette dressing. It was divine. I tried to recreate that dressing here. Although it wasn't spot on, it was very close, and in my opinion, perfect for summertime.

Another inspiration for the salad was from one of my favorite blogs, Iowa Girl Eats. I know I've said it before, but I just adore that blog. I've made so many recipes from there, I think I've lost count. The Triple Berry Salad made my mouth water just looking at it! I'm usually not a huge fan of mixing fruit in salad, but fresh berries and spinach is definitely something I can get behind!

This salad is very simple with loads of good nutrients to get you through your next adventure!

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh spinach

2 cups fresh kale 

1 cup organic raspberries

1 sliced pear

1/2 c. sliced almonds

for the dressing-

2 tbsp. honey

1 tbsp. poppy seeds

1/4 c. olive oil

3 tbsp. apple cider vinegar

Method:

In a large bowl combine the salad ingredients, in no particular order. Next, in a mason jar or bowl, whisk together the ingredients for your dressing, mixing well.

It's that easy, now get started!

garden update.

There must be something special about Seattle rain. We complain about it, whine about it, want it when the temperature rises above 75 degrees, and it makes our garden greens grow like weeds!

This is been our first foray into the gardening scene, which happens to be huge in our neck of the woods. People fit their tidy, colorful, and bohemian gardens wherever they can, in nooks on their porch, on their rock ledges, or even hanging from the side of their house. Our neighbors a few blocks away have a beautiful vegetable garden, and document their adventures on their blog Eatin' Your Yard. Most days when Molly and I go for our morning run or walk, we check out the newest greenery springing up in our neighbors' raised beds. While we're not quite at that level of expertise, I have to say the garden in our rather giant backyard has yielded wonderful results! There's two tomato plants that are growing by leaps and bounds every day, rows of spinach that multiply overnight, butter lettuce, and strong, hardy, purple kale.

Oh yes, and arugula and basil. I couldn't live without those two, I love arugula mixed green salads and the thought of my own basil in our caprese salads makes my mouth water.

Now, on to our Farmer's Market for some new raspberries. Happy Sunday!