Recipe: The Perfect Salad & Simple Vinaigrette

May is National Salad Month and we are kicking it off with Keeley's go-to salad and vinaigrette recipe. While visiting Hot Springs, Keeley threw this salad together for us on a whim one evening.

The quality olive oil, vinegar, mustard and honey make this unassuming salad a real show stopper. It's that good. Use Keeley's vinaigrette proportions as a guide and adjust to your own taste preference.

The Perfect Salad & Simple Vinaigrette | SavoryPantryBlog.com

The Perfect Salad & Simple Vinaigrette

SALAD INGREDIENTS:
• 1 bag Mixed Greens
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup gorgonzola crumbles
• 1/2 cup toasted pecans, chopped
• Black pepper & Fleur de Sel to taste

DRESSING INGREDIENTS:
• 1 tsp Edmond Fallot Dijon Mustard
• 1 tsp Richard's Pure Raw Honey
• 6 tbsp Badia a Coltibuono Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 tbsp Cavalli Balsamic Condiment of Reggio Emilia

1.  Add greens, tomatoes, cheese, and pecans to a large salad bowl and set aside.
2. Add 1 tsp of dijon mustard to an empty jar.
3. Add 1 tsp of honey to the jar, and mix well with a spoon.
4. Add 6 tbsp of olive oil to the honey & mustard mixture
5. Add 2 tbsp of balsamic vinegar to the jar
6. Put a lid on the jar and SHAKE!
7. Pour dressing over salad ingredients and toss to coat
8. Add freshly ground pepper & fleur de sel to taste before serving

DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE PDF RECIPE >

    The Perfect Salad & Simple Vinaigrette | SavoryPantryBlog.com
    The Perfect Salad & Simple Vinaigrette | SavoryPantryBlog.com
    The Perfect Salad & Simple Vinaigrette | SavoryPantryBlog.com
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    Roundup: National Salad Month

    May is National Salad month and at The Savory Pantry, we are celebrating with recipes and ingredients to enhance our favorite salad recipes.  With summer just around the corner, some of our favorite fruits and veggies are ripened and ready for the spotlight! We've rounded up a few of our favorite salads to share.  Stay tuned the rest of this week for original recipes and our recommendations for the best olive oils and vinegars to bring your greens to life!

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    Recipe: Sweet Tea Cocktail

    Bright and refreshing, this is a perfect drink for welcoming warmer weather!  The lightness of this cocktail makes it perfect for serving with a meal.  Throwing a Mother's Day luncheon?  Serve sweet tea cocktails along with a buffet of springtime food favorites on a picnic table and set the mood for Mom!

    Sweet Tea Cocktails | SavoryPantryBlog.com

    Sweet Tea Cocktail

    Fill a glass with ice.  Add the gin, Owl's Brew and lemon juice.  Top with club soda and stir gently.  Garnish with a lemon wheel and spring of mint.

    DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE PDF RECIPE >

    Sweet Tea Cocktails | SavoryPantryBlog.com
    Sweet Tea Cocktails | SavoryPantryBlog.com

    Start with a glass of ice - we used mason jars.  Add 1.5 oz of Hendrick's gin.  The subtle cucumber flavor of this gin works especially well.

    Sweet Tea Cocktails | SavoryPantryBlog.com
    Sweet Tea Cocktails | SavoryPantryBlog.com

    Add 1 oz. of the Owl's Brew and .5 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice.

    Sweet Tea Cocktails | SavoryPantryBlog.com
    Sweet Tea Cocktails | SavoryPantryBlog.com

    Top with club soda stir gently.  Garnish with a lemon wheel and a sprig of fresh mint.  Sip and savor!

    Sweet Tea Cocktails | SavoryPantryBlog.com
    Sweet Tea Cocktails | SavoryPantryBlog.com
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    Celebrating Cinco De Mayo: Simple Pork Tacos with Salsa Fresca

    Cinco de Mayo is just a few days away and what better way to celebrate than with a simple pork taco recipe.  No slow roasted pork to braise and shred.  I already had pork chops in my freezer and the veggies in my fridge, to make this simple recipe with Mexican flare.  What a great excuse to try out the La Fundidora Salsas that have been staring me down every time I open the pantry! The Salsa Fresca has a cool yet vibrant flavor that pairs well with chicken, pork and fish.  These were a huge hit at my home and a great way to turn those pork chops into something unexpected.

    Celebrating Cinco de Mayo: Simple Pork Tacos with Salsa Fresca
    Celebrating Cinco de Mayo: Simple Pork Tacos with Salsa Fresca
    Celebrating Cinco de Mayo: Simple Pork Tacos with Salsa Fresca

    Simple Pork Tacos with Salsa Fresca

    • 4 boneless porkchops
    • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
    • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
    • 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • taco seasoning
    • corn or flour tortillas
    • 1 avocado, sliced
    • La Fundidora Fresca Salsa
    • cilantro leaves
    • salt & pepper
    1. Preheat a grill pan & non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Rub the pork chops with 1 tbsp of olive oil and the taco seasoning.
    2. Add the onions & bell pepper to the non-stock skillet with 1 tbsp of olive oil. Cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring until desired tenderness.
    3. Add the chops to the grill pan. Cook through, about 4 minutes on each side. Once cooked, slice the chops thinly.
    4. Layer the pork and sauteed veggies in each tortilla. Top with a slice of avocado, a spoonful of salsa, and a few cilantro leaves.

    DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE RECIPE PDF >

    Celebrating Cinco de Mayo: Simple Pork Tacos with Salsa Fresca | La Fundidora Salsa
    Celebrating Cinco de Mayo: Simple Pork Tacos with Salsa Fresca
    Celebrating Cinco de Mayo: Simple Pork Tacos with Salsa Fresca
    Celebrating Cinco de Mayo: Simple Pork Tacos with Salsa Fresca
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    Recipe: Brown Sugar + Brown Butter Derby Pecans

    These delectable pecans are wonderful for any party or gathering where drinks are served. Made with browned butter and brown sugar, they are a wonderful compliment to bourbon-based cocktails, such as the Mint Julep.  Long after the Kentucky Derby is over, you can make these nuts and package them in mason jars for edible gifts!

    Recipe: Brown Sugar + Brown Butter Derby Pecans | SavoryPantryBlog.com
    Recipe: Brown Sugar + Brown Butter Derby Pecans | SavoryPantryBlog.com
    Recipe: Brown Sugar + Brown Butter Derby Pecans | SavoryPantryBlog.com

    Brown Sugar + Brown Butter Derby Pecans

    • 10 oz of halved pecans
    • 4 tbsp of butter
    • 4 tbsp of brown sugar
    • Rosemary chopped and leaves for garnishing
    • Sea salt

    Preheat the oven to 250. Spread the pecan halves on a large baking sheet.  Bake them for 15 minutes.  

    When there are 5 minutes to go, brown your butter.  Cook butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once butter is melted it will foam up a bit, then subside. Keep stirring, a few minutes later the butter will be light brown and then will turn into a deeper brown color, you should be smelling the butter at this point.  Takes about 2-4 minutes. Remove pan from heat immediately.  

    Take pecans out of oven and put into saucepan, add brown sugar and rosemary, stir.  Once incorporated, arrange pecans back onto baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Take out of oven and sprinkle with sea salt.  Serve warm or store in an airtight container for a future party.  

    DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE RECIPE PDF >

    Recipe: Brown Sugar + Brown Butter Derby Pecans | SavoryPantryBlog.com
    Recipe: Brown Sugar + Brown Butter Derby Pecans | SavoryPantryBlog.com
    Recipe: Brown Sugar + Brown Butter Derby Pecans | SavoryPantryBlog.com
    Recipe: Brown Sugar + Brown Butter Derby Pecans | SavoryPantryBlog.com
    Recipe: Brown Sugar + Brown Butter Derby Pecans | SavoryPantryBlog.com
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