A Perfect Crunchy Salad
Kick off the New Year
This salad is inspired by one I had this Fall in Santa Fe, New Mexico at La Mama. I highly recommend you visit them if you are ever in the area.
Dressing really makes the salad in winter when veggies aren’t their finest. But can there be a salad dressing that isn’t summery, yet also is not typically wintery? A dressing that is seasonal in the sense that it doesn’t have perishable ingredients like citrus or creams and can therefore be made in a big ol’ batch and stored in the fridge for a long while? Is there such a thing as a perfect salad dressing that can be a base for taking whatever direction you want with any type of vegetables accompanying any winter meal?
The answer is YES.
Dressing
Similar to the La Mama dressing, this is a tahini base. I made the suggested whopping 32oz jar and it’s going down fast. Not only is it the perfect salad partner it’s also great on roasted veggies, stirred into warm brown rice, or even added to a sandwich. TBH I’ve eaten a spoonful just because *sigh* it has quickly become a winter staple due to its savory, thick texture that toasted crunchies love to stick to!
Dressing recipe and hilarious how-to video here.
Crunch
Making this yourself at home takes a minute. The list of ingredients are typically not what we have in the pantry. But once you do, you can add to a plethora of other dishes as well as continue to make this crunchy topping for you and all your friends. Don’t be discouraged and go for it because dedicating the time to make a big batch and store it in a sealed container in the fridge is worth the effort as it is also great sprinkled on yogurt or creamy soups!
I recommend the true queen of salads Julia Sherman’s topping posted on instagram here.
If you’re in a pinch the lowliest salad becomes royalty when you toss in some toasted nuts. Choose one or choose them all but always start with a raw nut and toast to golden brown in a dry pan on the stove top. My favorite are toasted almonds.
Greens
You can take the girl out of California, but you can’t take California out of the girl! Little gems. Where do they come from? I have no idea but I swear it’s from farmers in the San Francisco Bay Area. Whatever the origin, I love and hunt for them as they are crisp, cute, and mildly sweet. But any green will do so fill up that bowl!
Perfect Winter Additions
Pomegranate seeds, thinly sliced apple, watermelon radish
Enjoy!
Hugs and kisses,
Theresa
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This is going to become a household staple!! Thank you!!