Dried Figs, Cranberries, Walnuts & Goat Cheese with Citrus Vinaigrette

Ingredients

Vinaigrette:
3T lime juice
1T Dijon mustard
1tsp. salt pepper
½ cup extra virgin olive oil

Salad:
10 oz. mixed salad greens, arugula or spinach (8-10 handfuls)
2 Belgium endives, sliced
1 small head radicchio, washed and torn into bite size pieces
1 cup dried figs, chopped
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
10 oz. goat cheese, crumbled

1. Vinaigrette: In a small glass jar with a lid, add the lime juice and mustard, 5 grinds of pepper and salt. Put on the lid and shake.

2. Add the olive oil recover and shake until the dressing is emulsified.

3. Salad: In a large salad bowl. Add the salad greens, figs, cranberries, nuts, and goat cheese. Add just enough dressing to coat the salad greens. Toss the salad and then adjust the seasoning.

4. Place the dressed leaves on a platter or individual plates. Serve immediately.

TIPS & TRICKS

• To toast nuts, place them on a baking sheet in a 350° F oven for 5 minutes. Give the pan a shake and toast for an additional 3 minutes until slightly brown. Be careful: they burn easily! Chop as desired
• You can substitute lemon or orange juice for the lime juice, or use any vinegar.
• The vinaigrette will separate, but just shake to re-emulsify. It will keep in your fridge for up to two weeks.
• One handful of salad greens is equal to one serving.
• You can substitute any dried fruit: dates, dried blueberries, cherries, or apricots for the figs and cranberries.
• You can substitute almonds, pistachios, or pecans for the walnuts. ¼ cup of walnuts has been said to help promote good brain health.

Olive Oil Orange Cake

Ingredients

1T butter, room temperature

1T all-purpose flour

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

3 cups all-purpose flour

1T baking powder

1T orange zest

3T orange juice

¾ cup good quality olive oil

2/3 cup milk

Confectioner’s sugar for dusting

4 oranges, peeled, sliced into ½ moons

2T granulated sugar

4T Cointreau or Grand Marnier

1. Preheat oven to 325º F. Using the 1T butter and 1T flour, grease and flour the bottom and sides of a10-inch angel food or Bundt cake pan.

2. In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar on medium-high speed for 1-2 minutes, until light in color.

3. With the mixer on low, add the flour, baking powder, orange zest, juice, olive oil and milk; mix just until combined. Do not over mix! Use a spatula to finish combining, if needed. (Mixture will look lumpy similar to muffin batter)

4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes, and then turn onto cooling rack to cool completely

5. When completely cool, dust with confectioner’s sugar.

6. In a small bowl, toss the orange slices, sugar and liqueur let sit for 10 minutes. Serve with cake.

Tips & Tricks:

• I love this cake because it’s so versatile. It’s just sweet enough to end a meal, but perfect to start your day with or as a pick-me-up with a cup of tea in the afternoon. Top it with macerated fruit. I used blood oranges, but you could use regular oranges, tangerines, or substitute the oranges and use berries (about 2 cups). You can add a dollop of whipped cream, ice cream or yogurt to make it extra special.

• You can substitute the orange zest and juice for lemons, especially Meyer lemons are great in this cake.

• Use an olive oil that has a nice fruity flavor. I prefer Italian or boutique olive oil from Napa or Temecula Calf are lovely, some are infused with citrus and add a nice additional citrus punch.