Have you ever been to the fast casual restaurant Cubby's in Utah? It's seriously to die for. Fresh, healthy, good for you food with such great flavors. If you live near one, run there now. Seriously, what are you doing still reading this post? Go! 

I recently had Cubby's wild rice & kale salad. It's full of chicken, apples, and packed with savory flavors. I don't live within a days drive of a Cubby's, so figuring out how to make this salad on my own was a must. This salad isn't 100% up to the deliciousness they have created, but its darn near close. Make it today and your body and taste buds will thank you. 

Ingredients: 

Salad: 
1 head of kale, finely sliced into 1/8 of an inch strips
1 chicken breast, cooked, then diced
1 apple, diced
1/3 cup toasted almonds, chopped
1 cup wild rice, cooked
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 avocado, diced
3 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

Dressing: 
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 shallot, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tsp dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lavender honey
1/2 tsp kosher salt
sprinkling of fresh ground pepper

Directions: 

Once your kale is chopped, toss it with the lemon juice to allow it to soften. Cook your rice and while the rice is still hot, mix it with the kale to soften it further. Allow it to cool for 10 minutes. Add in your other salad ingredients, dress to your taste level, and toss. Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. 



Enjoy!

Summer is the time for grilling. Everyone wants to be outdoors, that's where all the action is. Picnics, barbecues, get togethers with family and friends. Its the stuff long lasting memories are made of. I don't know about you, but the food you serve at your summer get togethers all play into those great memories. Weekend after weekend, traditional grilled burgers or chicken can get old hat pretty quickly, which is why we try to switch things up. Every week we like trying out a new tasty condiment with our grilled meats. Have you ever tried the Lavender Apple's Cranberry Apple Relish?  It is oh so good. 

Cranberry relish is typically thought of as an accompanying side to Thanksgiving or Christmas fare. But here at the Lavender Apple, we actually use it all year round. It goes smashingly with grilled chicken, lamb, and even sweet burgers. Your guests will be so impressed to get a flavor profile they aren't expecting and they will be singing your praises for something that is so simple to add, but that makes the meal feel a little bit different and a little bit special. 

Other condiments we love and highly recommend are a spicy rhubarb chutney, homemade relish, chimichurri herb sauce, and creamy dill mustard. Condiments can often be an after thought at a barbecue, so by putting a little extra thought into yours, it will be the easiest way to elevate your parties. 

Enjoy!

I love it when I make a salad and my husband goes back for seconds. That is how I can tell if its a winner or not. I actually made this salad as a side for a meal we were having. But it was so good and so filling that neither of us were hungry after we ate it! Its sweet and crunchy, with nice salty notes from the feta. I'm certain you will enjoy it. 

For the salad: 
1 head romaine lettuce
1 apple, thinly sliced
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup cashews, lightly toasted

For the dressing: 
2/3 cup olive oil
1/2 cup white sugar
1/8 cup water
juice of 1/2 of lemon
zest of 1/2 of lemon
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1 teaspoon lavender sea salt 

Wash and chop your lettuce, roast your nuts, slice your apple, assemble your salad ingredients. Wisk all your dressing ingredients together until the sugar is dissolved and the ingredients have combined. Pour over your lettuce and you are all set to go. I like to slice the other half of my lemon and add lemon wedges to the salad as well for a garnish for those that like things extra tart. 

This turned out to be a beautiful summer salad. Not only is it colorful, but its sweet and savory at the same time. That is such a winning combination. Enjoy!

Tonight I made a delicious salad that features two of our favorite Lavender Apple farm products! Lavender Honey and our farm pressed apple juice. It was sweet, savory, and a easy to put together. 

For the salad:
4 ounces fresh spinach
1 red apple, sliced
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese
1/3 cup dried cranberries 

For the dressing:
1/2 cup apple juice
1/8 cup vegetable oil 
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon lavender honey (plain honey will also work, but why use that when lavender honey exists!) 
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper

Mix the dressing together, combine salad ingredients, pour dressing over salad and serve immediately. Makes enough salad for 4. 

Its always wonderful to have a hearty goat cheese salad when we are all working so hard on our new years resolutions. The winter cranberries and autumn apples make this a wonderful treat for lunch or a great side at dinner.