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Are you feeling it? A whispered promise of Spring? It's in the air! And though today was a crisp, chilly Carolina day, when a down jacket and warm woolen scarf felt just perfect, there are many assurances that old man Winter is on the verge of passing his icy baton to a lovelier, more gracious player
As I pen this post, I notice the Bradford Pear tree out the living room winter is boasting; it’s wintry bare branches now covered with polka dots of fluffy white blossoms. Daffodils in their cheerful glory are lining boulevards all over town and spiky verdant tulip leaves can be spotted poking up proudly through seemingly lifeless soil as we take our morning walks.
Just yesterday I noticed, with great delight, my blueberry bush, all covered with tiny pale blossoms, definitely a sign of delicious warmer days to come.
Yes, it’s coming, for sure, and as I mentally prepare for bare feet, flip flops, short sleeves and sunscreen, I'm also getting psyched up in a culinary sense. I'm dreaming of delightful spring and summer produce soon to be abounding in local markets. I can hardly wait to get reacquainted after a long winter respite. Though we enjoy salads all year long , a hint of Spring in the air and lovely fresh ingredients piled high at green markets and farmer's stands, well, let's just say they send me into salad-making nirvana!
I hope you enjoy this delicious betrothal-of-Spring salad as much as we did. The greens are sweet and tender with lovely butter lettuce and cilantro. Thinly sliced ribbons of baby bok choy give a crisp crunch along with a nice green contrast. Sliced cucumber and avocado add more layers of deliciousness and texture. Sweet blackberries, as you can see, make the salad just pretty as a picture!
The dressing is the crowning glory though for this fabulous salad. Bright green, fresh and flavorful describe it perfectly. With basil*, lemon juice, rice vinegar, ginger and honey as the featured stars, the vinaigrette perfectly compliments the vibrant green salad. I'm serving this tonight with pan-seared salmon but it can also stand alone for lunch with crusty warm bread or a bowl of soup. It would make a family dinner quite special and would have no problem gracing the table for your fanciest guests.
- Ingredients for the vinaigrette:
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves packed
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 6 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh finely grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha
- 1 teaspoon garlic finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup canola oil
- Ingredients for the salad:
- 6-8 cups butter lettuce
- 3 small baby bok choy thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- ½ medium English seedless cucumbers, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 medium avocado cored, peeled, quartered lenthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
- ½ medium red onion halved and thinly sliced
- ½ pint blackberries
- ½ cup toasted salted cashew halves
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For the vinaigrette, combine all vinaigrette ingredients, except the oil, in the bowl of a food processor. Puree mixture until smooth.
-
With motor running slowly add both oils. If too thick add a bit of water.
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Taste and season with a bit more salt and pepper if needed
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For the salad, combine butter lettuce, boo chou and cilantro leaves in a medium size bowl.
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Divide evenly onto 4 salad plates.
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Scatter with the cucumber, avocado, red onions and blackberries.
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Drizzle each salad lightly with vinaigrette. Pass extra vinaigrette at the table.
Cathy says
This salad does say 'SPRING'! I became envious when you mentioned the little white things on your Bradford Pear...then I remembered...your are in Carolina. We still have snow in the forecast for Sunday night into Monday. Currently calling for 3-6" in our part of PA.
Anna {Hidden Ponies} says
This is an absolutely gorgeous salad! I can't wait for the abundance of fresh summer produce either...
Kim G. says
Chris, you always have stunning ideas when it comes to salad (and lots of other stuff, I have to be honest!)... You amaze me every time! Really SUPERBE!
Ms Lemon of Make Mine Lemon says
This looks so delicious. I feel like I could just reach out and pick one of those blackberries.
Our Trader Joe's has basil pots that I trim for a basil "bouquet". It re-sprouts in a jelly jar vase and I just plant it back in a pot. I have it fresh all summer for $3, however I do not cook for a large family anymore, but it works for me.
Dining Alone says
Spring has definitely already sprung here in Arizona! This looks delicious.
Vicki Bensinger says
Your blackberries look so plump and delicious. Great salad! I love all the ingredients and the addition of Bok Choy which I've never added to my salads before but will now. Nice viniagrette too!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
I prepare baby bok choy but only cooked. I can see I'm missing out on another way of enjoying it.
Valerie says
Yes, the flip-flops are calling (and so is this fresh, light, salad!). 😀
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen says
Chris! when I need a good salad I know to come right to your website! this is awesome!
Mary x
Mi Ka says
I LOVE IT!
Sue/the view from great island says
What a beautiful color scheme there is in these photos, you've definitely put me in the spring mood. The blackberry and avocado combination is so striking!
The Mom Chef says
Gorgeous, Chris, absolutely gorgeous. Even though our weather won't cooperate with spring, this is definitely a good way to Harold in the season.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
These flavors sound wonderful together! I love the vinaigrette and those plump blackberries!
Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
Looks like a great salad, the berries are beautiful-enjoy:@)
Georgia | The Comfort of Cooking says
Such a gorgeous spring salad! I love that it's bursting with berries!
Chef Di says
I love that you used cilantro with the other greens... sounds incredible!
Ginny says
This is just gorgeous and I can feel the spring through the screen!!!! Unfortunately we are to have snow Monday and Tuesday.
Betty says
With that salad it would be easy to imagine that spring is right around the corner! I may have to make it on Monday and just not look out of my window at the snow we're supposed to get. 🙂
Kim - Liv Life says
Oh my goodness!! This salad just screams spring. LOVE the avocado dressing, but those blackberries just pop off the page. I'm enjoying gorgeous here in San Diego, my roses have buds forming and I'll have actual flowers in about 3 weeks! Its coming!
Debra Eliotseats says
Lovely. I am definitely waiting for spring too! Can't wait for fresh basil.
Susan says
Chris, you are spewing Spring into the air. Those gorgeous, black, pump berries on this salad are just screaming for me to put a fork into it!!! Hope the baby is still getting hugs from you.....do not short her!!!
twodogsinthekitchen says
This looks and sounds delicious! I have been on a salad/soup kick lately. It is still winter wonderland here. Still in the 20's. I'm hoping spring will come soon, since it is officially spring 🙂
twodogsinthekitchen says
This salad looks and sounds delicious! We are still in winter wonderland here. Still in the 20's with long johns and winter coats...boo! I'm hoping spring is on the way, since it is officially spring 😉
Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says
What a colorful, fresh salad! This is perfection in the plate.
Alex says
I have to say: thank you for such a great idea. The blackberries and the vinaigrette: wow.