Beautiful Things - December 2016/January 2017

The Original Farmer's Salad

Try this fresh and healthy alternative when asked to bring something to an office party or family gathering.  The presentation makes for a fun converstation piece and the flavors are holiday bright!
- by Holly Lemoine-Raymond

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Can you believe it? The holidays are upon us! Where has this year gone? Did I blink for too long? I have been so busy this year that I am far behind on my gift buying. There are holiday parties, office gatherings, and community events coming up. What will I give to the hosts of these get-togethers? What will I bring to the office party?
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Have you ever been invited to a holiday party at the last minute and had no idea what to bring? What did you do? Here’s what I did. I brought the gift of salad!
 
“A well-made salad must have certain uniformity; it should make perfect sense for those ingredients to share a bowl.” Yotam Ottolenghi

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This was the first salad I put on my menu when I opened the Cypress Café, and it’s still being served today! If you’d like to sample it before you put this masterpiece together, stop by the Cypress Café and give it a try. I know they’d love to see you.
 
This salad is not only healthy but also great tasting, and it won’t make you tip the scales. I hope you enjoy making it as much as your recipients will love eating it!
 
Let’s get started with making our jars. 

Holly Lemoine-Raymond

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Supplies:
(Most found at Walmart in the craft department)

​Burlap Tape
Tags
Marker
Scissors (For cutting fabric)
Decorative flower (plastic or real)
Ribbon
Fabric scraps
1.5-pint mason jars
4-oz. mason jars

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Ingredients

​Walnuts (I prefer glazed when I can find them)
Dehydrated cranberries
Shredded carrots
Red onion (cut in small pieces)
Cherry tomatoes
Kale
Spring mix
Feta cheese
Ken’s raspberry walnut vinaigrette

​I used 1.5-pint mason jars for the salad. If you’d like to make a bigger salad for a family, you could use the gallon-sized jars. The ingredients I prepared yields approximately 8 salads in the 1.5 Pint Jars.

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Step 1: Start with the lid
 
Using the lid as a guide cut your fabric in squares. Cover the lid with the fabric and push it through the ring. ​

​Step 2: Decorate your jar
 
Wrap a strip of the burlap tape around the center of the jar. Write the recipient’s name on one of the tags. (I used small wooden tags to give it a vintage feel.) Place the tag on the ribbon and tie the ribbon around the jar, overlapping the burlap tape, and “garnish” with a sprig of plastic (or fresh) flower.
 
You will prep the 4-oz. dressing jar with the burlap tape as well. For decorative purposes, I also placed burlap tape on the lid of the 4-oz. jar.
 

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​Step 3: Assemble the salad
 
I start with the dry ingredients at the bottom and carefully layer accordingly. First I place the walnuts, carrots, cranberries, and onions. Then I add the greens, placing the kale, tomatoes, feta cheese, and spring mix. 

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 Step 4: Finish the job
 
Put the lid on the salad, pour the dressing in the 4-oz. jar, and you are ready to deliver! 

​I brought one of these tasty treats to a recent office meeting and gave one to each member of my team. We enjoyed a fresh farmer’s salad while we strategized. Just shake up the salad in the jar, pour the dressing over the top and enjoy! Or you could open the jar, tip it upside down on a plate or bowl, pour the dressing over the top and enjoy it that way too. Either way, it’s up to you.

Thank you for reading. Let me know if you tried this great salad idea and what your thoughts are. Bon Appétit!