Orange Spinach Salad with Blue Cheese and Walnuts for "the Project"

Oh My... Am I a food pornographer???


And this does indeed taste as good as it looks!


I hear it's going to be another hot weekend stateside for a lot of you.  This comes together fast, is refreshingly light and adds a summer, tropical look and taste to your table.  For just a minute, the Florida beaches and a cool summer breeze will remind you of the promise of summer we all expected last January.


Here's what to do...


Amounts depend on if you are making a side salad or using this as a main course (and keeping the oven from roasting your apartment).  So, I am just going to say, "to taste" on the main ingredients...


Spinach
Orange


Topped with...
Blue Cheese crumbles
Walnut Pieces
Garlic (minced)


And the simple Vinaigrette
3 to 1 ratio of
3 parts Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 part Red Wine Vinegar
1 clove finely minced Garlic


Sweet Paprika as an accent for color


And that's it, it comes together fast and easy...

• Mix the vinaigrette
• Layer the Spinach and coat with 2/3rds of the vinaigrette
• Slice the orange into thin 1/4 inch slices, remove the rind
• Layer the orange slices, top with the walnuts and remaining garlic
• add the final 1/3rd of the vinaigrette
• finally, add the Blue Cheese and the paprika 

Serve this in air conditioning, with a true southern Sweet Tea (float some orange slices in the pitcher of tea for a spectacular image)!


This is my second posting of this recipe.  Originally inspired by  Sam of MY CAROLINA KITCHEN.  It has quickly become my very favorite summer salad.  So simple, but lots of great tastes.  Sam originally had more ingredients (Olives), and did not serve over spinach.  A different take, but equally special.  Click HERE to see and read what I believe is Sam's original post on the salad.


Stay cool, remember Fall is coming, and the weather will be the best of the year soon.






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