As I sit here and write this, it is snowing outside and my house is at a not so balmy 50°F. I have a blanket wrapped around me like a burrito, my sweatshirt is zipped to the top and a kerchief dons my head to keep my ears warm. A cup of coffee warms my fingers and core in between typing.
Spring in Montana! Only last week the temperatures were up to the low 60’s and warm breezes were making their way through the lands. My daffodils responded whole’heartedly announcing to the world that indeed spring was here. I could feel the serious itch to start my veggie garden but I resisted…this is very typical of a Montana spring. It lures you into spring fever and then slam, it gives you a reminder that spring is hardly but a wink before we hit the summer.
Evidently McGyver had decided it was time to turn off the heat and not give me the memo. So I’ve been sitting here all morning freezing (in a home sense) before I thought to check the thermostat (my office is always a little cooler than the rest of the house). Unfortunately it’s taking longer to warm up my little bungalow than I’d like. Despite the chill, I still have a case of culinary spring fever! Which is perfect since Simone at Junglefrog Cooking has revealed the theme for this months photography and styling contest: Spring!
Nothing says spring more than a salad of fresh greens, tender and juicy strawberries and crisp jicama dressed with a bright vinaigrette made with lemon and basil. The flavors, textures and colors make me feel like it’s spring even if I’m bundled up in everything short of gloves and a scarf (which I’ve been considering).
How is your spring? Have you started a garden yet?
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 8 ounces strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/2 small jicama, peeled and julienned
- 2 ounces lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
- zest of 2 lemons
- 4 ounces olive oil
- 2 tablespoons minced shallot
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- In a small bowl whisk all the dressing ingredients together. In a large bowl drizzle half the dressing over the greens, toss dressing and salad greens.
- Divide salad between 4 plates, top with strawberries and jicama. Serve extra dressing on the side.
- Also delicious topped with grilled chicken breast!
yeah, thanks a lot, you’ve sent that weather our direction and it’s icy here with about 8 inches of snow on the ground. Springtime in the Rockies. 🙂 I love that yellow bowl with the strawberries and it makes me want to visit your house and swipe it before you can get out from underneath that burrito blanket to chase me. Great photo. I love the cool crunch of jicima. This recipe sounds good.
Sorry about that, it still hasn’t stopped snowing here…grrr. Isn’t that bowl awesome, clearance from Target!!! Fortunately I have heat now, it turned out that our heater had a clogged port of some kind, ended up being a cheap repair, relatively cheap if you know what I mean.
I love the sounds of this salad. I can’t wait for fresh strawberries and basil. Really, I can’t wait for the basil to spring forth! (Pun intended.) So, it was 80 here last Friday, high of 50 today and The Hubs just told me it was suppose to freeze Friday. I guess we won’t be opening up the hoop house yet. (Seriously, are you going to post about your San Fran adventure???) 🙂
Yay for puns, you make me smile. I really, really am going to post about SF, but I have over 1000 photos to sort through..you know, when I have the time. It’ll be ready next Friday, promise!
Spring seems to be like that all over this year. Minnesota still has snow storms, and here in Kansas, where our garden should be coming up, it’s supposed to be 29 again tonight! Please, winter, go away!
I agree, winter go away! I just found out that we are supposed to get snow again this weekend. Oh I had so many plans for yard work and gardening!
Oh I’m missing spring, with its blossoms and daffodils. What we have is RAIN. Lots of it, with thunder and lightning.
I love this salad…… fresh, sweet and perfect for spring.
Lovely !
O boy… I cannot imagine having to be in freezing cold at the moment! I don’t envy you… Even though it took forever for it to warm up here, I am quite happy that it finally did… love your version of the Spring theme. It does look like spring so well done!
I am envious of anyone who is enjoying warming weather! I am itching to get my garden going, I’m afraid that we wont have a real spring here, that’ll we’ll jump into summer immediately.
I was so glad we were gone and missed the snow last week. Can’t wait to get our garden in! Gorgeous photos!!
Yes, lucky you! You’re timing was perfect…but then again it’s never to late to enjoy snow in Montana.