Grapes and Green Salad

Let's try another salad...I opened my fridge...and looked. Grapes?
Why not mix and match?
This year I have added fresh herbs to my garden beds. Fresh herbs gives the extra flavor required to make an ordinary salad something out of this world. Start experimenting with herbs. Soon you will not need any more dressings. It's also the best calorie counter. My daughter and I are constantly experimenting with fresh herbs that grow in our climate. We both love basil, but basil loves your kitchen window much more than the coolness outside. Many of our local fresh farmers markets carry a large arrangement of herbs.

Grapes and Green Salad

• 3 tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 pinch sugar
• 1/3 cup olive oil

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• 8 cups torn mixed salad greens
• 1 cup flat leaf Italian parsley, spun dry
• 11/2 cups red seedless grapes cut in half
• 1/4 cup shelled roasted sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup chopped roasted almonds
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  

Instructions

1. In a bowl whisk together vinegar, salt, pepper, Dijon and sugar.
2. Add oil and whisk until thickened.
3. Combine lettuce leaves, parsley and grapes and toss with the dressing.
4. Add nuts and seeds and serve immediately.
5. Sprinkle fresh Parmesan cheese on top.
   

Have some fun...find an old pot, or half an oak barrow...fill it with some dirt mixed up with a bit of mushroom compost and plant your favorite herbs. I purchase mine from the garden shop...as they seem to grow and fill out much quicker. Grow a small pot of basil and decorate your kitchen window. That's one of my next projects.
Enjoy your salads and start creating some new herb mixtures.