Category: Salads

When my friends hear me describe myself as an introvert, they’re always a bit surprised. Among my friends and coworkers, I’m outgoing and outspoken. But in a room full of people I don’t know? I’m suddenly as quiet as a mouse. Small talk isn’t my forte, so I really have to work hard to meet and engage with new people.

I felt very much like that when I arrived at my first foodie conference a couple of years ago. It was a little easier for me to reach out to people since it was guaranteed that everyone there would love food as much as I do. While everyone was amazing, and I made a lot of close foodie friends that trip, Katie from Katie’s Cucina was one of the people that I remembered the most. Her warm, bubbly personality shown through each and every day. She was always there with a smile.

I was excited for Katie when she announced that she was pregnant with her first child, and flattered when she asked me to guest post for her. Today’s that day. Today, you can find me over at Katie’s Cucina, where I’m sharing a Salad with Pear Vinaigrette. Head over, check out the salad recipe and Katie’s fabulous blog. And if you’re lucky, there may be a few photos of her new little one to fawn over. 🙂

I haven’t really been very inspired in the kitchen lately. We’re still putting our house back together from 2 weeks of travel, 1 week of company, and 1 week without power. It’s too hot to cook. Actually, the heat makes me not want to eat much at all. This summer salad has been just about the only thing that’s been of interest to me – sweet strawberries, salty feta… it hits the spot. I’ve made it plenty of times with an Italian vinaigrette but the poppy seed vinaigrette below is a nice change.

Strawberry-Feta Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

Ingredients for the Salad:

• 1 bag/package of spinach (or desired salad green)
• 2 c. strawberries, sliced
• 4 oz. crumbled feta cheese

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Toss or serve with poppy seed vinaigrette.

Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

Dressing recipe adapted from Food Network’s Amy John

Ingredients for the Poppy Seed Vinaigrette:

• 1/2 c. vegetable oil
• 3 Tbs. apple cider vinegar
• 1/8 c. granulated sugar
• 1 Tbs. poppy seeds
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground mustard
• 1/2 tsp. celery seed
• 1 Tbs. light corn syrup

Combine all ingredients in a tupperware. Share vigorously until completely combined.

Store at room temperature until serving.

A simple salad topped with warm goat cheese wrapped in phyllo is an easy and yet elegant first course or accompaniment to a light lunch. We served this salad as the first course at Thanksgiving. The light and slightly sweet salad is the perfect complement to the strong goat cheese.

I did make a couple changes to the recipe, including reducing the amount of phyllo used, and the technique for wrapping the goat cheese. The original recipe called for 4 sheets of phyllo dough, sliced in half width-wise, in order to make two phyllo pockets. This seemed to be far too much phyllo to neatly wrap the goat cheese. Two sheets, sliced lengthwise once and then width-wise twice (to wrap 6 pieces of goat cheese) was much more manageable.

Salad with Goat Cheese Purses

Adapted from Ina Garten’s Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics,

Goat Cheese Wrapped in Phyllo

Serves 6

Ingredients for the Goat Cheese Wrapped in Phyllo

• 4 sheets phyllo dough, defrosted
• 1/4-1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted
• 2-3 Tbs. plain dry bread crumbs
• 3-6 oz. fresh goat cheese cut into 1/2-1 oz. discs

Ingredients for the Salad and Vinaigrette

• 2 Tbs. champagne vinegar
• 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp. minced garlic
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 c. olive oil

Ingredients for the Salad

• Salad greens, such as an arugula and mesclan mix

Make the Goat Cheese Purses: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Lay a piece of wax paper or parchment paper on the counter. Unroll the phyllo dough and set on top of paper. Cover with a slightly damp towel to keep the phyllo fresh (careful – if the towel is too wet, the phyllo will be sticky).

Remove once piece of phyllo dough and set on work space, replacing the paper towel over the rest of the dough. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with bread crumbs (I used about 1 tsp.). Repeat.

Cut sheets in half lengthwise. Then cut each piece in thirds, width-wise.

Put a disc of goat cheese in the center of each piece. Pull corners of phyllo together, then bring up the sides. Twist slightly and holding the center together slightly so that it sticks together. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until finished.

Using remaining butter, lightly brush each of the purses, particularly the top and where the phyllo comes together.

Bake for 20 minutes, until phyllo is browned.Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.

Make the Vinaigrette: Whisk all vinaigrette ingredients except olive oil together. Add olive oil slowly while still whisking.

Assemble the Salad: In a salad bowl, toss the salad greens with vinaigrette. Place onto places and top with a goat cheese purse.