I made this salad with spring in mind! Spring is a rebirth, a renewal as well as a transformation. Spring is the start of the new and letting go of the old. Spring is love, hope and growth! It is the birds singing, frogs croaking and flowers opening!
This is a crisp salad with a bit of saltiness from the Pecorino combined with lemony bright flavors from the vinaigrette. The crunchy vibrant pink and green watermelon radishes make this a beautiful spring salad.
This has been a fun-filled last couple of weeks! We got MARRIED!!!
It is pretty amazing to have all your closest friends in one place! Ang and the boys arrived first and we had a great night of chatting on the deck drinking wine! Maggie, Christine, Jonnie and George showed up Sunday afternoon. They rented a house one house away from us, how cool is that?! Monday we had a great girls night out with much laughter and catching up. We met for cocktails and watched the sun set at the Crows Nest. Then we headed to The West End Tap and Kitchen for a fantastic dinner as usual! Tuesday night my mom, dad, step mom, and my friends who came from afar. We all met for dinner at a new restaurant called The Hideout. We ate outside on their great deck and had a wonderful time.
Wednesday was all about getting ready for the big day. I feel so lucky, Angela did my hair and it was more beautiful than I ever imagined it could be. My dad walked me down the flower lined aisle that my friends Maggie and Christine made with the succulent flowers that grow on the beach. My mom married us with the most amazing vows she wrote and my friend Tanya took our photos! After, we walked up the stairs from the beach and the shuttle busses were waiting to drive us to the Wrights Station Winery. We basically drank great wine and ate the night away! The best part was the incredible cake my friend Jill made us. It was the prettiest and best tasting cake I have ever had! A Spanish almond cake with a rosemary mascarpone frosting. I feel so blessed to have had my friends and family involved in our wedding the way they were. It made it much more special!
Recipe: Everything is to taste
- Lemon Thyme Pesto Vinaigrette
- Watermelon Radish – thinly sliced – to taste (about a half per person)
- Pink or Red Radish – thinly sliced – to taste (about 2 per person)
- French Breakfast Radish – thinly sliced – to taste (about 2 per person)
- Radish Micro Sprouts – to taste
- Pecorino Cheese – shaved – to taste
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – for drizzling
Instructions:
Make the vinaigrette and set aside.
Thinly slice the radishes with a sharp knife or a mandoline.
Arrange the radishes on a plate, top with sprouts and shaved cheese.
Drizzle with the vinaigrette and olive oil.
Health benefits:
Radishes help eliminate excess mucus in the body and are great for respiratory disorders, bronchitis and asthma. They are cleansing for the digestive system helping to break down and eliminate stagnant food and toxins that have built up over time as well as eliminate cancer-causing free radicals in the body. They are very high in vitamin C, which improves your immune system. They have a low glycemic index and helps to regulate the absorption of sugars into the bloodstream, which is great for diabetics. Radishes water content keep your body and skin keep hydrated and with their high fiber content they increase regular bowel movements, relieve bloating and help indigestion. They are a powerful detoxifier of the liver and stomach. They are also great for reducing blood pressure with the high potassium content.
Lemon Thyme has anti-aging properties and boosts the immune system. It helps fight asthma, promotes relaxation and helps digestion. Lemon thyme is high in iron and an excellent source of vitamin C.
