Posts in side dish
pickled cucumber & carrot salad

you guys. there has been a major development in my life that is a complete game changer. wes put up my hammock that i registered for when we were getting married. yes, you read that correctly. i registered for a hammock. no, it is not the functional camping kind. it is a hot pink, yellow and blue hammock with fringe and it fits perfectly in our little secret garden on the side of our house. i've always been one of those weirdos who would never leave their bed if they didn't have to, so the hammock is pretty much the best thing that has ever happened to me. it's heating up in socal, things in the garden are blooming, and i'm currently working on my computer cradled by the love of my hammock. i'm in heaven. 

and now that our side yard is getting more sun, plants are starting to produce. we are changing over our raised bed and we needed to pull the last of the winter carrots. some cucumbers and asian ingredients were the perfect compliment. sorry east coast, it may be snowing out there but it is beautiful in costa mesa and i'm looking for light and bright. and this salad delivered. 

pickled cucumber & carrot salad
serves: 4
prep time: 10 minutes
active time: 5 minutes
inactive time: 1 hour to over night
total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
ingredients: 1 large english cucumber, thinly sliced (about 3 cups). 1 cup thinly sliced heirloom carrots (you can use whatever carrot you have). 1 green onion, chopped. .25 cup rice vinegar. 1 tbs sesame oil. 1 tbs lime juice. 1 tsp white sugar. .5 tsp salt. 1tbs sesame seeds. 

IMG_0415.JPG

in a medium bowl, combine your cucumber, carrots and green onion. season with salt and set aside.

IMG_0414.JPG

in a small bowl, combine the vinegar, lime juice, sesame oil, and sugar. 

IMG_0413.JPG

whisk till completely combined.

IMG_0416.JPG

pour over the cucumber carrot mixture and mix well to combine. place the salad in the fridge for an hour for it them to chill and pickle. stir every 10 to 15 minutes so that all the veggies are equally pickled.

IMG_0418.JPG

when you are ready to eat, divide your salad among four plates, laying the veggies in an even layer.

IMG_0420.JPG

spoon some of the reserved dressing over the salad. 

IMG_0422.JPG

sprinkle with sesame seeds. 

IMG_0423.JPG

serve cool. 

IMG_0421.JPG

xo, a

pickled cucumber & carrot salad
serves: 4
prep time: 10 minutes
active time: 5 minutes
inactive time: 1 hour to over night
total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
ingredients: 1 large english cucumber, thinly sliced (about 3 cups). 1 cup thinly sliced heirloom carrots (you can use whatever carrot you have). 1 green onion, chopped. .25 cup rice vinegar. 1 tbs sesame oil. 1 tbs lime juice. 1 tsp white sugar. .5 tsp salt. 1tbs sesame seeds. in a medium bowl, combine your cucumber, carrots and green onion. season with salt and set aside. in a small bowl, combine the vinegar, lime juice, sesame oil, and sugar. whisk till completely combined. pour over the cucumber carrot mixture and mix well to combine. place the salad in the fridge for an hour for it them to chill and pickle. stir every 10 to 15 minutes so that all the veggies are equally pickled. when you are ready to eat, divide your salad among four plates, laying the veggies in an even layer. spoon some of the reserved dressing over the salad. sprinkle with sesame seeds. serve cool. 

pomegranate & blue cheese salad

is it just me, or does anyone else feel like they need a three day weekend to recover from their three day weekend? 

we celebrated my friend morgan on saturday in west los angeles and some of our best girls flew in for the festivities. we visited all our old stoping grounds, dressed head to tow in 80's gear. and
while i was terrible at taking photos, let me assure you that my group was committed. 

i was supposed to head home sunday for a productive day of recovering on my couch with football and my husband, but the girls convinced me to stay up in la for one more night of dinner and dancing. they know i'm a sucker for a night of dancing.
so instead of attacking my monday, i zombied through it. and i'm ready for rest and a bit of a detox. bring on the greens! 

salads are wonderful and can be so beautifully seasonal. i'm soaking up every last second of pomegranate season with this easy, bright salad.

pomegranate & blue cheese salad
serves: 2 dinner salads
prep time: 10 minutes
active time: 2 minutes
total time: 12 minutes
ingredients: 1 romaine heart, chopped. 1 cup arugula. 2 cups mixed greens. .25 cup pomegranate seeds. .25 cup blue cheese. .25 cup spiced pistachios (you can use any pistachios you have on hand). .25 cup apple cider vinaigrette

IMG_9678.JPG

in a large bowl, combine all the greens and toss well so they are well mixed. 

IMG_9677.JPG

add in the pomegranate, blue cheese and pistachios. 

drizzle with dressing. 

IMG_9680.JPG
IMG_9681.JPG

toss well and serve. 

IMG_9690.JPG

xo, a

pomegranate & blue cheese salad
serves: 2 dinner salads
prep time: 10 minutes
active time: 2 minutes
total time: 12 minutes
ingredients: 1 romaine heart, chopped. 1 cup arugula. 2 cups mixed greens. .25 cup pomegranate seeds. .25 cup blue cheese. .25 cup spiced pistachios (you can use any pistachios you have on hand). .25 cup apple cider vinaigrette.
in a large bowl, combine all the greens and toss well so they are well mixed.
add in the pomegranate, blue cheese and pistachios.
drizzle with dressing.
toss well and serve.