Pure Michigan Salad

This is one of our all time favorite salads here in South West Michigan.  We have cherries, we have apples and we have beautiful acres of rich lettuce farms.  My salad is Michigan in a bowl.  Actually, we live right next door to America's "Salad Bowl" Hudsonville, Michigan.  This salad is amazing when you pair it with a nice roasted pork tenderloin, risotto and fresh vegetables,  like sauteed green beans or brussel sprouts. 

Ingredients:

• 1 5-ounce bag Spring mix or other mixed greens (about 10 cups lightly packed)
• 1 tart apple, peeled, cored, cut into matchstick-size strips
• 1 cup dried tart cherries
• 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Maple Dressing

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 3 TBSP  apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup olive oil

Directions:

Dressing

1. Whisk mayonnaise, maple syrup, vinegar in medium bowl to blend. 
2. Gradually whisk in oil until mixture thickens slightly. 
3. Season to taste with salt and pepper.  
4. Store up to 3 days in fridge.

Salad

Toss greens, apples, cherries, and pecans in large bowl to combine. Toss with enough dressing to coat. 
Be careful not to over dress this salad. 
Its better when you let it sit 5 minutes before serving. 

One Lovely Blog Award

Thank you Abby from Manilla Spoon for nominating me for a "One Lovely Blog Award".    I have been enjoying the blogging process by  fine tuning my recipes and sharing them with the online community.  I am so inspired by all the people out there that love putting together  fun, healthy meals for their families.  I too hope to be a benefit to others as they seek to bring fresh ideas into  their kitchens.

A requirement for acceptance of the award, is a blog post.  Post the news on your blog using the following guidelines:

- Include the pic in the post.

- Thank the person who nominated you.

- Include This Set Of Rules.

- Provide 7 Random Facts about yourself. 

- Nominate at least 15 other blogs.

- Inform your Nominees by posting a comment on their blogs.

As per the rules for accepting the One Lovely Blog Award, here are my top 15 blogs and 7 things about myself:
Blogs
1. Walking on Sunshine
2. A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis
3.  Picture- Perfect Meals
4.  The Wicked Noodle
5.  The-Not-So-Desparate Chef
6.  Jamie Oliver Food Revolution
7.  Out of the Box Food- Fresh Alternatives to Processed "kids food"
8.  Michael Wurm's Inispred By Charm
9.  FoodGawker 
10. Barefeet in the Kitchen
11.  The Kitchen Prep
12. Family Spice
13. My Crazy Kitchen
14. Knead to Cook
15. Ina Garten

7 things about me...
1.  I live in South West Michigan, a transplant from New England AND FLorida.
2.  I am a wife, mother, sister and daughter of the King.
3.  I plan and cater events as a hobby.
4.  I am trying to sell Demarle cooking products via the internet in a variety of ways.
5.  I LOVE the farmers market.  We have an amazing one here in Holland, Michigan.
6.  I LOVE baseball; in paticular the Boston Red Sox and my sons Little League teams.
7.  I want to be an active blogger, sharing my recipes to benefit and help other moms, AND the next generation, in the kitchen. 
8.  As a Chistian, I am encouraged to know that my passion for food and creating healthy meals for my family is a reflection of God...He created our world, and gave us everything we needed to live.  But He didn't stop there...He gave us all these  colors, flavors and textures to enjoy.  For His own glory.

"Mangia bene, vivi felice"