'Tis the season for berry salads...
One of my very long-time co-workers retired and is moving across the country. We decided to have lunch together one last time before she leaves.
I ordered the summer special, a spinach salad buried in fresh berries. The menu picture looked so appetizing!
The actual salad came with three slices of strawberries and six blueberries.
Needless to say, I was left hungry and disenchanted.
Next day, I made my way to the downtown market, which is a bit higher in price than my local grocery store near home, but few fresh veggies and fruits freshly survive my summer train commute. It would be worth a bit extra to buy and make my own berry salad(s). Plus, I could enjoy the mountains of berries in my dreams.
The downtown market has a small build-your-own salad bar. I put in a bit of spinach, a spoon or so of edamame, a sprinkling of shredded mozzarella, a handful of dried cranberries, and just under a tablespoon of raspberry vinaigrette. I converted to balsamic vinegar and stopped using salad dressing about eight months ago and have not regretted it one bit. Vinegar is healthier anyway, and just a small amount of salad dressing can contain up to 200 calories. !!!
I have a bottle of cranberry balsamic vinegar at home, and it likely would survive the heat of the commuter train, so I'll bring that in next time and skip the vinaigrette.
I also bought a container of blueberries, a container of strawberries and a container of raspberries.
Back in the office, I cut up some strawberries and tossed them in my greens along with some blueberries and some raspberries. One of my co-workers was peeling a cutie (or clementine) orange while I worked, and she (with clean hands) tossed a few citrus slices into my lunch. I still had a few cherries leftover from breakfast, so I pitted them and threw them in, too.
All my picturesque salad needed now was a handful of sliced raw, unsalted almonds! I'll bring those in next time, too! They won't have any problem with the heat or being packaged at the bottom of my crochet bag.
For just two dollars more than what I paid at the restaurant, I got the most magnificent berry salad, and I have enough berries to last for at least two more salads.
I may do this all summer long!
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Sure a berry day there at your bay indeed. Nothing wrong with that, although I don't find many of them very filling, so left hungry too at our zoo. But always a way, creative one just needs to be.
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