The Dog That Bites Salad

The sun cast a crystal clarity which reflected off of the towering windows of our city streets as we rode up the hill to coffee on this late Sunday morning. A crispness in the air delivers fall memories, a perfect reminder to appreciate our summer freedom. The expansive blue sky bathes us in joy, our stomachs trace the hills, up and down like children on swing sets. Friendliness is on everyone's lips at the coffee shop. The only thing that could ruin this day is the fear of it ending. 

Why does it seem it is so easy to lose the things we try the hardest to hold onto?

Fed by your thoughts the dog of fear will break your swing set and rob you of your coffee. It follows you through your daily routine, hoping you throw it a morsel. Perhaps you knew of the dog's coming, so you closed your blinds to shield yourself from dog and daylight both. Tear open your blinds, and reach your hand out to the dog. Give him your love and then send him on his way. Acknowledge your fear and he will leave you alone. Ignore him and he will follow at your heels, driving you to walk in funny patterns. Feed him and he will consume you next. 

I have some ingredients that I have been ignoring in my refrigerator which have been sitting on the fringes of my crisper, eagerly hoping for me to develop inspiration. They are not bad ingredients, just risky. Their flavors can be construed as bitter. Yogurt, sweet red onion and feta are good for clearing bitterness. This salad was made in the spirit of our morning. The clean taste of mint reminds me of our clear sky, the radishes and celery are the nagging bite of fear at my heels, the dressing is the hand that reaches to out to sooth. 

The dressing:

in a Cuisinart, blend:

2-3 Tbsp fresh mint

1/4 sweet red onion

1 cup yogurt

1/2 Tbsp Japanese Ume plum vinegar

1 tsp white wine vinegar

1/2 tsp sugar

The salad

mix 1/2 head chopped romaine lettuce (I used romaine and red leaf mixed)

3 stalks diced celery

2 bunches radishes sliced

Garnish with crumbled feta cheese

dress and serve

Christina's vote: "This salad made me feel like time was on my side"