Salad days

It's fun to eat your greens when you mix things up a bit. Instead of a boring old salad, how about some mache (pronounced "mosh," which the kids think is hysterical), a little walnut-crusted goat cheese, and a drizzle of white balsamic vinaigrette? Tracy Harrison, owner of Purpose LLC, recently told me that salad greens + dressing is an optimal combination, because the fat in the dressing helps you to absorb the fat-soluable vitamins in the greens. So don't skimp on the dressing!

Mache with Walnut-Crusted Goat Cheese and White Balsamic Vinaigrette

Mache (I found a nice box at Whole Foods; use about 1 cup per person)
Chopped walnuts (about 1 T. per goat cheese round)
Mild Goat Cheese (about 2 T. per round)
optional: sliced or shredded carrots, berries
Dressing:
4 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons canola oil
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 clove garlic, pressed
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar
salt and pepper

Arrange greens in a bowl. Add carrots or berries if using.

Slice goat cheese into rounds and roll in chopped walnuts. For an extra-delicious treat, place the goat cheese in the oven for a few minutes while you prepare the dressing, to get it warm and soft.

Make the dressing by placing all of the dressing ingredients in a blender or the cup of an immersion blender and processing until smooth.

Place the warm goat cheese on top of the greens and drizzle with dressing. Eat.