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!
That fig salad looks so good! I bet it tastes devine with those figs. Who would'a thought. Thank you for sharing.
It looks amazing! PS There is a giveaway on my blog- ends in a few days.. check it out!
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!!!
Oh my this salad looks just stunning and delicious!! I t made me hungry!
Thanks for all the kind comments! Made my morning to read them all!!
xo ~K
Looks healthy and absolutely delicious!
You make salads look sooooo good.
You, my dear, are the salad queen. That avocado macro shot is priceless.
That looks so beautiful! I wish I could make food pretty.