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    Home » This and That » California Backyard Salad. Tastes Like Home.

    by Kathy Patalsky · updated: Sep 13, 2019 · published: Mar 26, 2010 · About 2 minutes to read this article. 9 Comments

    California Backyard Salad. Tastes Like Home.

    I grew up in California with a fig tree, plum tree, apple tree, cherry tree, olive tree and apricot tree in my backyard. Nothing tasted better than the fruit off those trees. Picked by hand. I’d eye a tiny green plum and watch it for weeks and weeks until it was ripe black purple. Juicy and plump. Our special plum tree was a goldmine of plums. My favorite kind of gold: fruit. Although I’m an NYC-er these days, I still miss my fruit-filled backyard and those tall swanky trees that I loved so much. My favorite spot to sit and think: a perfect little perch in my fig tree out back.

    To bring me back to those innocent childhood days in the sun, I crafted my California Backyard Salad with Zesty Fig Dressing. California flavors galore: sunflower seeds, almonds, avocado, figs, plums and lemon. Dive into sunshine and get a taste of my childhood…

    California in a bowl:
    Avocados galore:

    Sunny sunflowers seeds and almonds:
    Zesty Fig Dressing:
    California Backyard Salad
    serves 2

    6 cups baby lettuce blend
    1 ripe purple plum
    1 ripe avocado
    2 tbsp almonds
    3 Tbsp sunflower seeds
    optional “cali” add-in’s: artichoke hearts, diced tomato, sliced apples, walnuts.

    Zesty Fig Dressing

    1 part maple or agave syrup
    1 part lemon juice and a few thin slices
    1 part apple cider vinegar
    1 part whole grain mustard
    2 parts EVOO
    black pepper
    6 figs, sliced

    Directions:

    1. Whisk dressing together.

    2. Place salad greens in serving bowls. Drizzle with a bit of dressing – be sure to get those figs to fall into your salad. (You can also toss greens with dressing separately.)

    Dressing:
    3. Prep veg/fruit: slice plum, dice avocado.

    4. Sprinkle sunflower seeds and almonds over greens.

    5. Add avocado cubes and plum slices.

    6. Drizzle with more dressing.

    serve!



    About Kathy Patalsky

    Hey there! I'm Kathy, lover of kitty cats, weekend baking, 90's movies, travel, beach fog and foamy lattes. Since 2007, I have been sharing my vegan recipes and photos. My goal is to make your cooking life a little easier, delicious - and plant-loaded - while sharing some LIFE and conversation along the way.

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    Previous Post: « Spring Cherry Blossom Salad. Creamy Dijon Dressing.
    Next Post: Vegan Fake Meat Products: Defeating or Defending the Point of a Vegetarian Diet? »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anonymous says

      March 29, 2010 at 1:32 am

      That fig salad looks so good! I bet it tastes devine with those figs. Who would'a thought. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
    2. Debra says

      March 28, 2010 at 2:10 am

      It looks amazing! PS There is a giveaway on my blog- ends in a few days.. check it out!

      Reply
    3. Fig+Sage says

      March 27, 2010 at 12:01 am

      Wow that looks so delicious! I'm also from California and this recipe just makes me happy. There's definitely no salad like a California salad 🙂 Thank you for sharing this…I have GOT to make it soon!!!

      Reply
    4. veggie wedgie says

      March 26, 2010 at 8:15 pm

      Oh my this salad looks just stunning and delicious!! I t made me hungry!

      Reply
    5. Kathy says

      March 26, 2010 at 4:05 pm

      Thanks for all the kind comments! Made my morning to read them all!!

      xo ~K

      Reply
    6. Justine says

      March 26, 2010 at 2:30 pm

      Looks healthy and absolutely delicious!

      Reply
    7. WizzyTheStick says

      March 26, 2010 at 11:30 am

      You make salads look sooooo good.

      Reply
    8. Anonymous says

      March 26, 2010 at 5:24 am

      You, my dear, are the salad queen. That avocado macro shot is priceless.

      Reply
    9. Lauren says

      March 26, 2010 at 3:50 am

      That looks so beautiful! I wish I could make food pretty.

      Reply

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