Kale Salad with Pine Nuts and Parmesan

Has this week been declared salad week? Well, I'm declaring it. I am not boasting that my diet has consisted of substantial salads (although that's a fine idea), but Monday's green bean salad with mustard seeds and tarragon kickstarted some salad inspiration. The leaves may be changing from greens to oranges, but why not celebrate the green in your season through a bowl of tasty and healthy ingredients? A kale salad with parmesan and pine nuts was delivered to my parents' home in a box of homemade goods, from monkey bread to tomato soup and parmesan toasts. I swooned over the packaging -- all in individual mason jars. I insisted that Cathy send me the salad recipe, which surprisingly only requires 5 ingredients. Cathy's one mandate? Don't buy the pre-bagged kale. Find the fresh heads of kale at Whole Foods or Fresh Market, and remove the veins in order to prevent notorious bitterness. While it may take longer to wash, dry, and chop, the kale will have just the right amount of spice without overwhelming your palette. Thanks, Cathy!

Makes 4-6 servings

1 head of kale, washed, dried, chopped 1 lemon, juiced 1/2 cup olive oil Salt and pepper 1 cup parmesan 1 cup pine nuts

1. Mix lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper for dressing. Pour over kale and toss.

2. Add parmesan and pine nuts.

Green Bean Salad with Mustard Seeds and Tarragon

Are your eyes also stuck on the the brightness and beauty of this salad? I didn't even enhance the color while editing my photography. . .This is authentic cooking, and I think you are going to love this salad to serve during any season.

You must get this cookbook, first of all. The pages are absolutely beautiful and literally urge you to get off the couch, find a farmers market, and attempt to mimic the colorful, visionary vegetarian recipes.

For a dinner party last week, I adapted this green bean salad as a starter to roasted halibut with homemade chickpea puree (also known as hummus) and red potatoes. We all loved the lemony crunch and appreciated the slightly licorice taste of the tarragon. The mustard seeds, which I had never before owned in my spice cabinet, were a warm touch. Above all else, though, this gorgeous dish will turn any dinner plate into a masterpiece. I assure you. Blanch away, and Happy Monday.

adapted from Plenty

Makes 6-8 servings

1 1/2 cups green beans, trimmed 1 1/2 cup snap peas, trimmed 1 cup snow peas, trimmed 1 cup green peas, fresh or frozen 1 teaspoon mustard seeds 3 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 red onion, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, minced Grated zest of 1 lemon 1 tablespoon chopped tarragon Coarse sea salt 1 cup arugula & spinach mix

1. Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Blanch green beans for 4 minutes, then immediately drain into iced water. Drain and dry. repeat Repeat for snap peas (Blanch 1 minute), snow peas (Blanch 1 minute), and peas (Blanch 20 seconds).

2. Combine all beans and peas into a large mixing bowl. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat oil, mustard seeds and garlic. When seeds begin to pop, pour contents of the plan over the beans and peas.

3. Toss mixing bowl, then add red onion, lemon zest, and tarragon. Mix well and season with salt to taste.

4. Just before serving, fold spinach and arugula leaves in the beans and peas. Serve at room temperature.

Your New Favorite Salad Dressing

Too often, I find myself debating in the salad dressing aisle. I am either tired of the staples, or I'm too skeptical of the flavor combinations in newer, unfamiliar bottles. Instead of wasting five extra minutes on my weekly grocery run, I have vowed to abandon the aisle completely and use pantry ingredients to make my very favorite (and your soon-to-be very favorite) vinaigrette.

For this batch, I grabbed a few of the newest Hatchery ingredients, including Other Brother olive oil, O Olive Oil's balsamic vinegar, and Ohia organic honey. The pure honey is the secret -- its naturally crystalized, creamy consistency is key to binding the vinaigrette. And doesn't enjoy a touch of sweetness to offset the tart acidity of vinegar?

My family friend Billy Orgel delivered a bag of heirloom tomatoes from his backyard. Of course a manufactured salad dressing wouldn't do those beauties justice -- but this recipe does!

1/3 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon dijon mustard 1 garlic clove, finely minced 1 teaspoon pure honey Salt and pepper, to taste

1. Whisk all ingredients in a small bowl until well combined. Emulsify in a blender for a thicker consistency.

2. Pour over your favorite salad or store in a mason jar in the fridge for later use.

Snap Pea Salad with Crab and Radish

I'm absolutely obsessed with this salad. It'll highlight any summer spread and simply make your work day more beautiful. I mean, look at those colors! Plus, the sweet snap pea and spicy radish crunch together wonderfully. I recommend slicing and chilling the vegetables before hand so that you'll experience an ice cold crunch on your summer patio. I hope you're enjoying your week -- I urge you to add this recipe to the agenda.

Makes 4 servings

1 pound sugar snap peas, trimmed and halved 4 radishes, thinly sliced 1 bag arugula 1/2 pound jumbo lump crab meat 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon dijon mustard Salt and pepper

1. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, mustard, olive oil, salt and pepper.

2. Toss together snap peas, radishes, arugula and crab. Pour dressing over and mix to coat evenly. Serve immediately.

Avocado and Roasted Corn Salsa

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How was your Fourth of July?! Mine was very well spent in Watercolor, Florida with my boyfriend Alex, whose birthday on Saturday added an even greater reason to celebrate every moment of the long weekend. We spent too many hours on the beach (resulting in lobster-like sunburns), ate delicious seafood meals at Cafe Thirty-A and Great Southern, and cooled off with summer cocktails and brews at the numerous Seaside hang out spots. I was clearly spoiled in great company, and I'm already longing for the next reunion.

Saturday, while drinking an ice-cold margarita (on the rocks) on the Bud & Alley's balcony, I longed for a a light appetizer with hints of Mexican flavor and reflections of the latest farmers market gems. The yellow heirloom tomato and white corn called my name from the beach house kitchen counter; and soon enough, a "salsa" was born. Only five ingredients (including the always-necessary avocado) are required to make a festive, colorful dip that can be spooned onto Stacy's pita chips or enjoyed simply naked. Heck, you can even add some spring mix and call it a summer salad. Whatever you make of it, I hope you enjoy! Have a great week, y'all.

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Makes 2 servings

1 avocado, sliced and cubed
2 yellow tomatoes, sliced and cubed
1 ear of corn kernels
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons feta, crumbled
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Salt and pepper

1. In a small saucepan, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add corn and roast until bright yellow and slightly charred, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat to cool.

2. Meanwhile, add avocado and tomatoes to a small bowl. Squeeze lemon juice over avocado to keep green and bright. Add corn to bowl. Sprinkle with feta, salt and pepper. Serve with tortilla chips for a great party app!

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At the Table - Nautical Beach Picnic

You may recall Caramelized's latest styling series with my fave San Diego blogger, Conni Jespersen of Art in the Find. Our Tartine Affair collaboration was featured on West Elm's Front + Main blog, and we are so excited to share our latest summertime (outdoor) table scene! Conni and I jumped at the idea to celebrate the new month with an emphasis on a breezy, beachy feel and light menu. If you ever find yourself beachside (or simply in your backyard) this summer, take notes on these dreamy tips for a modern nautical beach picnic.

Conni masters the perfect palette of blue hues and whites, which beautifully reflect the sandy shores and crystal waters on the horizon. I'm a huge fan of her dreamy linen dress. . . this stylist clearly knows how to dress the part!

Don't you wish you could bask on a simple plissé throw by the water with a darling champagne bucket this weekend? I surely do. You can see more of Conni's expert styling details on Art in the Find. . .go, go, go check it out. She has listed every thing you'll need to pack in your basket, from pillows to petals!

And, since this is a picnic after all, I've brainstormed (with Conni's similar sweet tooth assistance) and crafted a seasonal dessert and trendy, on-the-go entree to bring along in your picnic basket. Mason jar layered salads allow combinations of seasonal ingredients with no mess, no soggy lettuce, and reliable transportation! Not to mention. . .this set-up looks absolutely adorable. After munching on those veggies, a light fruit tart can be staged right on your picnic blanket for a sweet ending. Keep scrolling for the recipe for my raspberry tart and list of ingredients for mason jar salads. But, of course, you can layer your mason jar with whatever salad ingredients you desire.

WATERMELON + FETA SALAD (shown above) :: Watermelon, feta, spinach, mint CAPRESE SALAD :: Cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, balsamic reduction, arugula FRUIT SALAD :: Peaches, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries

**Note: I do not recommend adding dressing to the salads, unless you pour dressing on the bottom layer and keep lettuce at the very top. We don't need any soggy salads at this beach picnic party!

Raspberry Tart

1 frozen puff pastry sheet, thawed 1 cup raspberries 1 1/2 cups light cream cheese icing

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Unroll pastry onto a baking sheet and bake until puffed and golden, about 12 minutes. Remove and cool for 15 minutes.

2. Evenly spread icing over pastry, leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle raspberries generously over tart, and serve immediately.

Thank you to Kevin Falk of XOXO Wedding Studio photographing the scene, to Claudia of La Belle Bloom for the lovely blooms, of course, Sheli from the Incidental Spoon for providing the fun jars/ribbon from her birthday bash here, DeAnna of Simple Peace for the awesome beach tote bags which you can find here, and check out Milled for their amazing hand milled cheese boards.  Finally, West Elm for their usual goodness!