Sweet spinach and Goat cheese Salad

French love their cheese, over 400 different types of it and after spending this past year in the south of France it was difficult to come back to the cheese available here in the states. When I originally thought of this salad I could not find the type of goat cheese I had had in mind. The closest I got to what I would buy in France came from Whole Foods Market, a slightly aged goat cheese with a rind. Regardless of my new found cheese dilemma this salad still turned out great and I am sure many different types of goat cheese would work just fine.  

Ingredients

Baby Spinach

Half a cup Fresh goat cheese

Two tablespoons toasted pine nuts

One Tablespoon Honey

Balsamic vinegar

Olive Oil

Salt and black pepper

Method

Wash the baby spinach and put it in a salad bowl, then cut the goat cheese and crumble on top. Meanwhile toast the pine nuts in a pan on a low heat, when they are golden brown add to the top of the salad.  Dress the salad with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. After adding the dressing, sprinkle the salad with a spoonful of honey and add salt and pepper to taste.

Carrot and turnip Salad

This simple healthy salad is a perfect accompaniment to a meal. I learned this recipe from my French Family friends in the South of France but changed it up a little by adding the Carrots.

Ingredients

One white Turnip

Three Carrots

Parsley

Olive Oil

White Balsamic Vinegar

Salt and Pepper

Method

Start by skinning the Turnip and the carrots and grate them into a salad bowl, you should have a nice mix and orange and white. Cut up fresh parsley and mix in with the salad followed by two tablespoons of olive oil and a tablespoon of white balsamic vinegar. Add the salt and pepper to taste.