Spring Celebration Salad

Tennessee in the spring is such a beautiful thing. Wild flowers are everywhere, trees are flowering, bees are buzzing, and some days it’s warm enough to leave the jacket behind. That’s worth a celebration. I couldn’t be the only person craving a gorgeous salad full of colorful fruit and veggies, topped with something from the grill, and dressed with the best Sesame Salad Dressing you have ever had. This recipe has something for everyone. First of all, I believe this is honestly the best salad dressing in the world. That’s a big statement, but try it and you’ll see. It’s in my first cookbook, and it’s always been the family favorite. Best of all – you make it by shaking up the ingredients in a jar. It couldn’t be any easier to make. It keeps well in the fridge and my refrigerator is never without it! There would be complaining otherwise. This dressing can even double as a marinade in a pinch. For the salad a mix of spinach and romaine is a great choice, bright green colors and easy to put together. Then comes the fun part – it’s a mix and match salad, so just put your favorites out so everyone can choose and enjoy. Here is what we love for fruit: strawberries, blueberries, mandarin oranges, and dried cranberries. Use what you like, but that is pretty fail-proof. To that I add sliced avocado, toasted almonds, sliced green onions and sliced baby bell peppers. To make it dinner – or lunch in fact- a protein is nice. It’s easy, just go with your favorite. We change it up with chicken, shrimp, steak, or pork tenderloin, which is what we had for this salad in the photos. The dressing recipe can be your marinade or a simple brown sugar, bourbon, and soy sauce is a staple that is always delicious. If grilling is too much trouble, put that broiler to good use. If the day is out of hand, well, a rotisserie chicken works, or even pre-cooked frozen shrimp. Don’t worry. The dressing will win everyone over in the end.

Tennessee in the spring is a beautiful thing and so is this salad. Share it with someone or make a perfect one just for you. Enjoy!

Spring Celebration Salad

Sesame Salad Dressing

½ cup rice vinegar

2 Tbsp mirin (Japanese sweet cooking wine, found in Asian food section of the grocery – may substitute sherry)

2 Tbsp canola oil

2 tsp sesame oil

2 Tbsp soy sauce

3 Tbsp sugar

½ tsp salt

1 Tbsp sesame seeds

Shake this up in a jar to dissolve sugar. Store in the refrigerator.

Salad Ingredients

Romaine lettuce and baby spinach leaves combined

Fruits of choice: strawberries, blueberries, mandarin oranges, dried cranberries (add anything else in season or that is a favorite)

Also: sliced avocado, sliced baby bell peppers, toasted almonds, sliced green onions (add anything you like – mint or other fresh herbs in season are nice).

Protein: Grilled or broiled pork tenderloin, chicken, steak, or shrimp. A favorite grilling marinade is a combination of brown sugar, bourbon, and soy sauce.

Directions: Mix lettuce and spinach in a large bowl. Arrange toppings on a platter. Serve with dressing.  Celebrate!