Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Arugula Salad

Tonight, the Brain has alternate plans for dinner. And I think I've maxed out the potential for bacon in vegetables. Well at least for right now. After so many delicious and yet mildly not so great for my figure vegetables, I've decided to switch directions and do a healthy arugula salad.

We grew arugula last summer. And no, this is most definitely not made from that arugula. But the Brain and I both liked the peppery taste of arugula better than both the spinach and the leaf lettuce we grew. So this summer we'll be planting more arugula. Arugula is also known as rocket, roquette, rugula and rucola. It's very low in calories and high in Vitamins A and C. Interestingly, Arugula is also an aphrodisiac. So this salad might be lovely to split between you and your honey on Valentine's day. If you believe in that kind of stuff anyway. Personally, I think it's a bunch of hooey. What makes February 14th so special anyway. I'd serve this to the Brain any day.


So how did I get arugula in Nowhere, Ohio? Easy. I drove approximately 50 miles to Trader Joe's. I didn't drive there specifically for arugula. I was driving up there anyway, decided to go to Trader Joe's and LO! There was arugula. I may have squealed when I found it. I'm easily excitable. The salad is terrific and peppery with creamy bites of goat cheese and cool slices of crisp apple. It goes perfectly with my Martha Stewart for Costco Crimini Mushroom Soup with Sherry. Yes, Costco is nearby to Trader Joe's. It was a big trip to the city for me!

Arugula Salad
2 cups arugula (packed)
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 Tbsp walnut oil
1 oz fresh goat cheese
1 firm Gala apple
salt and pepper to taste

Toss arugula, lemon juice, and salt and pepper together in small bowl. Move to plate(s). Drizzle with walnut oil. Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese on top. Slice apple and place neatly alongside salad.

11 comments:

glamah16 said...

What town do you live in?Well at least your productive with the long trips. I envy you that you have a garden. I have one of those city decks on my condo.First year I had lovely flowers, etc. Next year I tried container gardening with veggies and a raspberry branch a friend had given me. Damm city squirels kept coming in and digging it all up even with mesh wire! My friends dubbed it the ghetto garden.

Mansi said...

That looks good..something I do need on my diet rally for this week:D

Cynthia said...

I've never tried arugula with goat cheese I think I'd like that combo.

Emily said...

Isn't arugula wonderful? I was so excited the first time we got it into our local grocery store. I think we should call it, rocket, even though we live in the Midwest.

I think the nearest Trader Joes, is in Chicago, which sucks.

Guess what? I just bought some arugula just now. I'm going to make a salad, too.

Anonymous said...

totally making this tomorrow - yummy waistline-friendly lunch!

Ivy said...

Thanks for visiting my blog. I envy you as well, having a garden to grow things in. I live in a cement city, Athens (not in Ohio) but in Greece and the only soil we see is in pots. I like the combo with the goat cheese and next time I shall add the Cypriot goat cheese called halloumi in it.

Poonam said...

Hi Mary, My first time on your blog...This salad combination looks so healthy! I will surely try this!

Deborah said...

I will have to try to grow arugula this year - I can rarely find it around here. And there's not a Trader Joes for at least 300 miles!!

Mrs. White said...

I'm not sure what I'd do without my Trader Joe's. I needs my Two Buck Chuck! :)

Gabi said...

I love Arugula and this salad looks delicious! Can't wait for Spring and the fresh stuff from my garden.
Cheers!
xoxo

Zylo said...

Oh, that looks good. I have no idea where a Trader Joes is, but the closest Whole Foods is four hours away. If it was only 50 minutes, watch out gas tank!