California Cliche Salad

+A Kindergarten Grad

Beets and greens from our Riverdog Farm CSA box, nasturtium flowers from our garden....it sounds like the ultimate California cliche salad, right? I guess it is. But it was also really delicious.

I am not the biggest fan of beets, but I've found that I can appreciate them more if I marinate them with a bunch of strong flavors and serve them with a salty cheese. I also added some avocado to the bowl of marinating beets, and I kind of like how they turned into pink avocados.

I planted a few nasturtium plants in our vegetable garden this year, thinking that they would attract pollinators, but they are kind of taking over! I've been trimming them heavily, and trying to harvest the beautiful edible flowers. The kids think it's cool to eat flowers, even though they don't love the peppery bite.

The recipe isn't much of a recipe, but here it is:

Beet, Avocado & Flower Salad

2 cooked beets, cubed (Note: you can roast them or boil them--I think boiling is quicker. To peel the skins off, rub them with a paper towel.)

1 avocado, cubed

1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard

1 teaspoon Champagne or white wine vinegar

Juice from 1/2 lemon

Generous pour of extra-virgin olive oil

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Two big handfuls of sturdy greens

Crumbled goat cheese or blue cheese

Toasted walnuts or pumpkin seeds (I forgot these but I think they would have added a nice crunch)

Nasturtium or other edible flowers

Makes 2 large salads

In a bowl, combine the beets, avocado, mustard, lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, and salt and pepper. Stir gently to combine; let marinate for at least 30 minutes.

In a salad bowl or on two salad plates, combine the greens with the marinated beets and avocado. Toss, then taste and season with additional salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice. Top with cheese, nuts, and flowers.

It was a big week at our house. I drove my younger daughter to Oakland on Tuesday for a tonsillectomy, and at the same time my husband was at my older daughter's school assembly while she received a Student of the Year award. He got her this very pretty bouquet that has been livening up our dining room table.

So now we have a kindergarten grad and grumpy, clingy tonsil-less 4-year-old on our hands. I feel very drained by all the big events and emotions. I have been trying to feed myself satisfying, healthy food like this salad, even though my kids have been living on Jello and mac n cheese.

Happy summer to anyone who is actually reading this post! :)