orange walnut salad with orange-basil dressing

If you're like me summer time is full of salads. No cooking, watery fresh, perfect for hot, hot days.

If you're also like me you usually do the same old salad, bland romaine lettuce and balsamic vinegar every time. Laziness? Yes, summer makes me lazy. It is a good stand by but a bit boring.

Why not brighten up your salad with some sunny fruit? Add a little goat cheese (nothing isn't better with goat cheese on it) and some walnuts and you have a festive treat. On a weekday. You can't beat that.

Orange Walnut Salad
Serves 2-4

1 Romaine lettuce heart, chopped
1/2 seedless cucumber, sliced and quartered
1 orange, peeled and chopped
Goat cheese, crumbled


Orange-Basil Dressing
Adapted from Pib & Ebby

In a small bowl, whisk together:
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Juice from 1/2 of a blood orange (substitution: Juice from 1/4 of a regular orange)
1 tablespoon dijon mustard (mine had those cute little seeds I love)
4-6 basil leaves, chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

I am entering this in Kahakai Kitchen for Souper Sunday. Check out the other entries here.