I never thought I'd say this and I partly hate myself for saying it, but I'm beginning to love salads. I don't just love them like I like the color the leaves turn in the fall and how pretty they look - red, yellow, and ocre - spread out on the ground, I really, really love them. I am obsessed, completely obsessed.
I always thought of myself as someone who'd rather have a plate of grilled vegetables and a chunk of cheese before committing to the cold leaves and tangy flavor of most salads. I would say I'd rather have a sandwich with nothing but tomato in it than have a salad. However, I am slowly starting to realize that there's more to salads than romaine, grilled chicken, and cider vinegar. It all started this spring in Ireland, where I had the most delicious goat cheese and caramelized onion salad. The goat cheese was salty and strong and the onion was sweet and gooey; they complemented the bitter leaves so well.
This fall, I am bent on kicking old habits and eating healthy. Salads twice a day. You'd think I'd hate them by now, but the love is only beginning to grow.
Today:
Chick peas, dried cranberries, red onions, olives, grilled portobello mushrooms, red peppers, eggs, feta crumbles, and tuna on a bed of iron-filled spinach.
Yesterday:
Chick peas, beets, dried cranberries, red onions, olives, grilled portobello mushrooms, tofu, and a balsamic vinaigrette on a bed of spring mix.
Antipasti Salad with artichoke, red peppers, chick peas, fennel, and Parmesan shavings [via] the Food Network -I'd get one of those fancy cheese shavers just for this!
Warm Beet and Lentil Salad with Goat Cheese [via] the Food Network - this looks amazing!