Cauliflower & Kohlrabi White Winter Salad

Cheers! Here's to a happy happy new year on it's way. I know, I know, I should probably be clinking a glass or something as I say my cheers, but instead I'm sharing a recipe for a salad with you. If you're into resolutions you're probably thinking salads are for after New Years Eve... today it's time to party! And you're right. But I was so excited about this salad, and really still have not decided what sparkling cocktail I'll be drinking this evening (if I'm even awake! 😴), so I selfishly went with my gut and skipped the obligatory post for New Year's cocktails. 

You'll forgive me, right? Well, I know you will--after you crunch into this salad, at least. 

Have you tried Pumpkin Seed Oil?? Oh my. I received some as a gift for Christmas (thanks, Mom!) and have been drizzling it over EVERYTHING. This rich, nutty oil is actually used as an ice cream topping in parts of Europe, but it's good on more than ice cream. With a nutty flavor and a thick pour, like molasses, it's divine on salads, too. 

But I also love this salad in particular because it's crunchy, out of the ordinary, and satisfying. When I'm in a salad rut I look for alternative ways to get my veggies. Sometimes, it turns out like this: a big bowl of thinly shaved vegetables, tossed with some goodies (in this case, pomegranate perils and sunflower seeds), and served in a big mound on my plate. 

Can't wait for 2016! See you all then :) 

Cauliflower & Kohlrabi White Winter Salad

Paleo, Primal, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free    |   Caitlin Sherwood    

Cauliflower and Kohlrabi and sliced thin, and then tossed with pomegranate, parsley, and sunflower seeds in a sweet and nutty vinaigrette.

Serves: 4-6   |    Total Time: 15 minutes

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Ingredients:

• 1 head of cauliflower
• 2 medium sized kohlrabi
• 1/4 cup parsley
• 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 pomegranate
• 1 orange
• 3 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seed oil (Olive Oil will also work, but will not have as rich of a flavor)
• 1 teaspoon honey
• Salt & Pepper

Directions:

1. Prep the veggies: wash the cauliflower and kohlrabi. Then, remove the leafy parts from the cauliflower, and peel the waxy skin from the kohlrabi. Chop the kohlrabi and cauliflower into pieces, small enough to fit into the mouth of your food processor. Finally, mince the parsley and peel the pomegranate, setting perils aside for later use and discarding the pith.
2. Fit your food processor with a mandolin slicing attachment. Feed the kohlrabi and the cauliflower through the food processor to shave them into thin slices. Transfer sliced veggies to a bowl, and toss with pomegranate perils, parsley and sunflower seeds.
3. Make the dressing: juice the orange into a small cup, removing any seeds. Whisk in the pumpkin seed oil, along with the honey. If the orange you used was not very sweet, you may wish to add more honey. Add a dash of pepper and a pinch or two of salt. Stir to combine.
4. Pour dressing over salad, and toss until well coated. Serve.

Cranberry Waldorf Slaw with Poppy Seed Dressing

CRUNCH. That’s what you get with this salad. Cabbage adds far more body and crunch and to salads than most greens, but this recipe doesn’t stop there. Crisp apples are cut into match sticks, sweet and bright. Celery and fresh fennel add their own types of crunch to the bowl (is celery the crunchiest vegetable of them all, or what?). And, walnuts. Also crunchy, but with a nutty, rich side that contracts well with the raw vegetables. In fact, the only two ingredients in this salad that aren’t crunch are dried cranberries—which add a nice contrast and keep the fall parade going—and the salad dressing, which brings everything together.

Potluck-ready or delicious as a side to your favorite sandwich. The other win? This salad keeps really well, so you can each fresh veggies effortlessly all week, if you want.

Cranberry Waldorf Slaw with Poppy Seed Dressing

Published September 21, 2015 by Caitlin Sherwood

Serves: 6   |    Active Time: 15 minutes

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Ingredients:

1/2 head of green cabbage, shaved thin

1 bulb of fennel, green parts removed, and sliced thin

2-3 stalks of celery, diced

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup toasted walnut pieces

1 apple, cored and sliced into matchsticks

Poppy Seed dressing, to taste (I use this brand)

Directions:

1. Combine sliced vegetables in a large salad bowl.
2. Just before serving, drizzle with dressing to taste, and toss. Serve.
3. Note: This salad keeps well as left overs — if you anticipate having leftovers, only dress the amount you’re going to eat now. Store the slaw in an airtight container. Dress leftovers when ready to eat, and toss.

Marinated Cherry Tomato Salad

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I wrapped up my final semester of grad school last week and have been day dreaming ever since (Yippee!! Recipe for a celebration treat to come! Here's a hint: It involves frosting and chocolate). I have Northern Italy on the mind! My browser's history is rich with images of Misurina Lake, old Castles with winding roads backdropped by and jagged mountains, and Tiramisu. Don't forget about the glass lakes, or storybook farm scenes either. 

In the fall, I'll be traveling to Iceland, Germany, Austria, and Italy for two weeks! My mom and step-dad, who have been using Bavaria as a home base for the last year and a half, will join Oliver and I for the adventure. The trip is still months away, but a girl can day dream, right? I'll also be using my day dreams as recipe inspiration until I can taste the real deal. 

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This salad is not Italian, but it has tomatoes, basil, and balsamic vinegar, which is most of the way there, right? ;) It's also a fantastic summery break from the surprise spring snow storm we just got (Ugh!). 

Italian or not, what makes this salad so good? The answer is easy: the tomatoes are marinaded in a bold dressing that is tart and sweet until their natural flavors are amplified. To turn this into a proper salad, you can spoon the marinaded tomato mixture over a bed of lettuce (my favorite these days is butter head or buttercup).

From the spoon or from a plate, Salude! Here's to the near future, and all of the fun it holds. 

Marinated Cherry Tomato Salad

Published May 11, 2015 by Caitlin Sherwood

Serves: 4   |    Active Time: 30 minutes

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Ingredients:

1 lemon, zest and juice

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon honey

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

6 large leaves of lettuce (my favorite variety is butter head, but anything will work)

1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half (cherry tomatoes in various colors make this salad gorgeous, but it’s not necessary)

1 cucumber, sliced thin

1/4 cup minced red onion

2 tablespoons fresh basil, minced

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced

Optional: freshly cracker pepper

Directions:

1. In a medium-sized bowl, combine lemon juice and zest, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, honey, and minced garlic. Whisk to combine.
2. Add sliced cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion to vinegar mixture and stir. Set aside for at least 15 minutes so that flavors can intermingle.
3. To serve: Spread lettuce leaves out in the bottom of a serving bowl or platter. Add fresh basil and parsley to tomato mixture, stirring to incorporate. Use a slotted spoon to transfer tomato mixture to the serving dish, and then drizzle any remaining vinegar mixture over the top of the salad. Top with freshly cracker pepper to taste and serve.