Recipe: Olivier Salad

I hope there is another post that I will have a chance to share with you before the year ends, but here’s one I’ve been planning for awhile – a traditional Russian dish that always reminds me of the holidays. And while we are talking holidays let me wish you lots of love, laughter, happiness, and many great reads in the coming year!

Happy New Year!

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I can’t believe it, but 2014 is just around the corner and as we get ready to celebrate the New Year it is time to whip up some classics. And the Russian holiday table will not be complete without its most popular dish - the Olivier Salad (or Stolichny Salad as it is also known). I grew up eating the Olivier Salad and can’t imagine it any other way, but there are as many variations of this dish as there are cooks. So here’s my take on the Russian classic, as promised Lori!

Recipe: Goat Cheese & Cranberry Salad

Do you ever find yourself fascinated with an ingredient? No? Well, I do, sometimes and then I can’t help but try to experiment with it, especially if it’s something unfamiliar to me. This past week’s fix was goat cheese. Believe it or not, it is a very strange ingredient to find in my fridge, as I don’t actually like goat dairy products. I always found the taste a bit odd, but then, a few weeks back, while I was out at some restaurant we ordered a dish that was essentially goat cheese and beets and to my great surprise it was delicious! So naturally, I had to get goat cheese and try to make something with it.

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This is a very simple dish but it is nonetheless delicious and I highly recommend giving it a try. If you are like me and are skittish of such ingredients as goat cheese, this salad just might change your mind.

Goat Cheese & Cranberry Salad
Servings 2

Ingredients:
1 cup red leaf lettuce
2 cups arugula
¼ cup dried cranberries
¼ cup roasted pecans
¼ cup marcona almonds (optional)
Goat cheese, crumbled

Vinaigrette:
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp honey
Salt and pepper

Recipe: Avocado Salad

Sometimes a few ingredients can make an incredibly flavorful dish. As such, below is my spin on guacamole if you will. It is an incredibly easy and fast little salad that pairs well with fish or chicken, goes along with rice, and makes a nice addition to a sandwich. My secret ingredient here is toasted sesame oil which adds a nice touch of smoky flavor to this wonderfully bright and delightful dish.

Avocado Salad
Makes 2-3 servings