happy valentine's day!

white winter salad in the snow

Found the best recipe for a late winter salad... a one dish meal that is healthy, easy, delicious...my kind of cooking...from  Food & Wine,  March 2014 ...A glass of chardonnay and a small salad of arugula, parmesan flakes + toasted pine nuts with lemon and olive oil served in front of the fire...makes tonight's snowstorm seem magical!

Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Lentils and Dates 

1. 1 head of cauliflower, cut into 1- to 1 1/2-inch florets
2. 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3. 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
4. 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
5. 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
6. Pinch of cayenne
7. Kosher salt
8. Freshly ground pepper
9. 2 tablespoons tahini
10. 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
11. 1 teaspoon honey
12. 10 dates, pitted and chopped
13. 1/2 small red onion, sliced
14. 4 cups loosely packed spinach or arugula      
    1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Spread the almonds in a pie plate and toast for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden. Let cool, then coarsely chop. Increase the oven temperature to 425°.
    2. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine the lentils with 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderate heat until tender, 20 minutes. Drain well and let cool.
    3. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss the cauliflower with the 1/4 cup of olive oil and the cumin, cinnamon, ginger and cayenne; season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes, turning, until the cauliflower is tender and golden brown.
    4. In a large bowl, whisk the tahini with the lemon juice, honey, the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of water until smooth. Add the lentils and season with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Scrape the roasted cauliflower into the bowl and add the toasted almonds, dates, onion and spinach. Toss the salad, transfer to a platter and serve.

a walk this morning...

a snow day...couldn't get the car shoveled out in time for the only train to the city, so cancelled my plans, put on my wellies and went for a walk in the snow and took pictures...an unexpected pleasure!