Salad with Pomegranate, Feta & Walnuts

(4 servings)

This salad is so good, I've made it three times this week! The salty feta, juicy pomegranate seeds and toasted walnuts top a leafy salad tossed in a tasty vinaigrette made with pomegranate juice and balsamic vinegar.

dressing
1/4 cup pomegranate juice
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 -1/2 clove garlic, minced or pressed, to taste
freshly cracked pepper

Combine all the dressing ingredients with a fork or whisk and set aside. (I left the salt out of the dressing because the feta I used was salty enough).

salad
1 pomegranate
7-8 cups leaf lettuce, torn
1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1/3 cup walnuts, lightly toasted and roughly chopped

Cut open the pomegranate and remove the seeds. Set aside.

Just before you are ready to serve the salad, place the lettuce into a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the lettuce and toss until the leaves are coated. Divide this salad mixture evenly between four salad plates.

Sprinkle a quarter of the pomegranate seeds onto each salad, then divide the feta cheese and walnuts between the four plates.

Serve immediately.

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Soba Noodle Salad

(6-8 servings)

I have been eating a ton of green salads of late and decided to change things up a bit this weekend with this delicious Asian style soba noodle salad. This dish is somewhat versatile in that you can add almost any bits of vegetables you have on hand. In the past I've used broccoli, asparagus, corn, peas, beans, even celery.

dressing
1 small clove garlic, minced
small piece of fresh ginger, grated (about 2 tsp)
1/2 cup soy or tamari sauce
1/4 cup mirin
3 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp hot sesame oil
2 tsp honey

salad
12oz soba noodles cooked as directed, drained and cooled
3 green onions, sliced
1 roasted red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cucumber, diced
1 medium carrot, shredded
1/2 small  bunch cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts, chopped or lightly toasted sesame seeds (optional)

In a small bowl combine the garlic, ginger, soy sauce, mirin, rice vinegar, sesame oil and honey. Set aside.

Place the soba noodles, green onions, bell pepper, cucumber, carrot and cilantro into a large bowl. Pour over the dressing and toss.

Garnish with the chopped peanuts or toasted sesame seeds, if using.

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