Certain flavors are happy together. One enhances the other. This simple summer salad does just that. The combination of only a few ingredients sing. Try it, you’ll like it, even if you’re one of those people who doesn’t appreciate the under appreciated radish.
Trust me, use butter lettuce (also known as Boston and Bibb). Butter lettuce is usually found it in a plastic container with the roots knotted at the bottom. This variety is super duper fresh because it’s still alive. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m not a fan of washing lettuce, and butter lettuce is easy to wash because the leaves are loose. Although this lettuce is a bit more expensive than some, there is no waste. You will eat the entire thing, other than the roots, which you will toss in your compost. The leaves are sweet. As you will taste with this simple recipe, you don’t have to dress up butter lettuce to make it flavorful. And, these leaves are especially perfect for wraps.
Now about radishes. The radish often gets a bad rap. People don’t like them for whatever reason(s). But you might want to learn because the health benefits are astounding. From liver detoxification (hello drinkers…) to respiratory cures (allergy sufferers!), radishes even help with insect stings. Plus, they are easy to grow, inexpensive to buy, and a bag will last months in your fridge.
Look how gorgeous they are!
Okay. I’ve stated my case, so now on to my simple summer salad. I know you will love it!!
Simple Summer Salad
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 Tablespoon freshly chopped dill
- 1/2 Tablespoon freshly chopped chives
- Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
- 1 head of butter lettuce torn into pieces
- 5 radishes thinly sliced
Instructions
- Toast pine nuts in a 375 degree oven until golden brown. This doesn't take long, about 5-7 minutes depending upon your oven.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, mayo and herbs.
- Arrange lettuce and radishes onto salad plates. Sprinkle with pine nuts. Drizzle with creamy dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste.
What’s your favorite summer salad?
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
[tweetthis]This will soon be your favorite summer salad! Promise. #simplerecipes #gardentotable #IHeartRadishes[/tweetthis]
Musical Pairing:
Happy Together, The Turtles
