Salad Days

By Lori Powell

Simple days and salad days. The best days….

On the heels of company, it’s nice to make a simple, seasonal salad to set your body right. It helps to remedy the lack of sleep from having entertained your guests and having overindulged yourself, along with your company.

It’s sad that the guests are gone but it’s happy as well to have time just to yourself again…the balance of things in everyday life.

Here’s my salad fix.

Mache with Asparagus, Goat Cheese and Tarragon Vinaigrette
Serves 1

2 tablespoons tarragon or white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small shallot, chopped
12 thin asparagus spears, steamed or blanched
2 cups mache lettuce
¼ cup radicchio
4 radishes, thinly sliced
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup goat cheese, crumbled

To make vinaigrette: Whisk together vinegar and mustard; slowly add oil, whisking, until combined well. Stir in shallots.

Toss asparagus, mache, radicchio, radishes and pepper with 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette. Add goat cheese, toss gently and serve immediately.  

Special Fork bloggers blog Monday through Friday. For more recipes and ideas on your smartphone, check us out at www.specialfork.com. Join the conversation on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @specialforksndy.