Roasted Buttercup Squash and Soba Noodle Salad with Creamy Miso Ginger Dressing

October 15, 2015October 16, 2015 ~ Wendy Franzen ~ Leave a comment

This hearty autumn salad was inspired by last week's trip to Napa Valley. On our first day, we drove to Sonoma County and spent a lazy afternoon wandering around Healdsburg. SHED, the foodie paradise market and café, was by far our favorite spot. My friend Domonique, a San Fransisco native, mentioned that it's probably the … Continue reading Roasted Buttercup Squash and Soba Noodle Salad with Creamy Miso Ginger Dressing

Kale and Chickpea Salad with Honeyed Almonds and Smoked Paprika Vinaigrette

June 26, 2014June 25, 2014 ~ Wendy Franzen ~ Leave a comment

Isn't this French kale beautiful? I know, I know - the words kale and beautiful don't normally sit side by side in the same sentence, but the dark green and purple all ombréd together and those perfect, rounded ruffles make it the ODLR of the vegetable world.I brought the above kale home from Elawa … Continue reading Kale and Chickpea Salad with Honeyed Almonds and Smoked Paprika Vinaigrette

Lemony Lentil Salad with Dill, Cucumber and Feta

May 16, 2014May 26, 2014 ~ Wendy Franzen ~ 5 Comments

This Greek inspired lentil salad hits all the right notes - crunchy, creamy, light-yet-filling, and bursting with bright flavors. It's a great take-along for a Memorial Day picnic, and though it stands alone as a vegetarian entree, it would be a fabulous accompaniment to anything from burgers to grilled chicken. The lemony dressing will seem … Continue reading Lemony Lentil Salad with Dill, Cucumber and Feta

Tomato Season

July 23, 2013July 23, 2013 ~ Wendy Franzen ~ 1 Comment

"There's only two things that money can't buy - true, true love and homegrown tomatoes." - from Kevin West's Saving the Season, a cook's guide to home canning, pickling, and preserving We picked the first giant, juicy yellow tomato from our garden last night and sliced it into a caprese salad while it was still … Continue reading Tomato Season

First Harvest

July 6, 2013July 5, 2013 ~ Wendy Franzen ~ Leave a comment

The cold temperatures of spring and early summer gave our garden a very slow start. Despite a 24' x 8' bed filled to the brim with plants and seedlings, we've only had lettuce and herbs to enjoy. Until now! Seemingly overnight, bright pink tops emerged at the base of radish greens, several teeny tiny green … Continue reading First Harvest

Strawberry Avocado Salad with Fennel and Mint

April 17, 2013April 20, 2013 ~ Wendy Franzen ~ 2 Comments

If you've been craving bright, fresh, seasonal ingredients that taste like Spring, I have the perfect salad for you. Sweet strawberries, creamy avocado and crisp shaved fennel are layered on delicate bibb lettuce leaves and dressed with a lime-ginger-mint vinaigrette. Finished with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of sea salt, this salad makes … Continue reading Strawberry Avocado Salad with Fennel and Mint