My life has recently been filled with beautiful moments. Perhaps change makes me recognize these more. I am so honored and grateful that I get to experience these. A huge part of these I believe are because I have been feeling so loved, appreciated and valued. Especially with my move, the new job and being closer to family now, I feel wanted. This in no way means that I wasn’t wanted before or valued. But in the past week it has felt deeper, frequent and in unexpected moments. Comments new co-workers have said, creating new memories with my brother and lovely words from my incredible friends in DC. I am humbled by this love and appreciation that has been given to me. One common thread about all of these? They only occur with others. They require a personal interaction.
Finding this value when I am not with others has always been difficult for me. Being alone too long has the opposite effect. I want this feeling of being loved and valued all of the time. How could I not? So I considered the things that make me feel wanted when I am solo. Surprise surprise – it is delicious food and vinyl records! Although it is not just any food or LPs. With music, songs that caress, lighten my mood and that I can belt out to do this for me. Since Adele’s 25 came out, her album has done this for me again and again. I think there is something about her voice that makes us all feel as if we can sing, although far from Adele’s power and skill. For food, it is usually ‘healthy’ food with complex flavors. It is something that when I am done eating, I feel clean, refreshed and satisfied. So please, join me in feeling loved, valued and wanted!
Vinyl: Adele -25
There is no link to Adele’s 25 unfortunately. Adele has chosen to not have 25 on either Spotify or Apple music, so if you have not heard her album, I recommend buying it, on vinyl of course! 🙂
Grilled Apricot, Feta and Spiced Almond Salad
Prep Time – 20 minutes
Cook Time – 20 minutes
Total Time – 40 minutes
Serves approx. 2
Ingredients
o 3 tbsp of raw almonds, whole or sliced (use 2 tbsp if sliced)
o 1 tbsp of olive oil, divided
o 1 tsp cumin
o 1/4 tsp garlic powder
o 1/4 tsp cayenne
o 1/8 tsp chili powder
o 1/8 tsp cinnamon
o dash of salt
o dash of pepper
o 5 whole apricots, not quite ripe, sliced in half and pitted
o 2 oz of feta cheese, crumbled
o 4 cups of arugula, washed and dried
Kombucha Dressing
o 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
o 1 tbsp kombucha (plain, ginger lemon or any one you choose!)
o 1 tbsp lemon juice
o salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Turn your grill on high and preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Pour the olive oil into a bowl and add the spices and almonds. Mix well. Pour onto an aluminum foil covered sheet pan and once the oven is preheated, baked for 10-15 minutes until the kitchen smells spicy and the almonds are sufficiently warmed through. If you used whole almonds, the skins will have started to puff slightly. Save the bowl you mixed your almonds in for the dressing!
- While the almonds are baking, if the grill has reached 500 degree, place the halved apricots with the cut side directly on the grill. Grill for about 5 minutes. If you try to lift the apricots off the grill and they are not coming off easily, wait a little longer. All of the apricots should release from the grill grate easily. You can turn the apricots and grill on the skin side as well if you would like.
- Place the arugula and feta cheese in a large bowl.
- Pour the olive oil, kombucha, lemon juice and salt and pepper into the bowl that the spiced almonds were mixed in. Whisk to blend.
- Add the finished almonds to the bowl with the arugula and feta. Pour the dressing on top and toss well.
- To serve, divide the salad into two bowls and top with the grilled apricots.
Notes:.
Make sure to choose apricots that are not quite ripe, almost there but still a bit hard. If you choose ones that are soft or fully ripe, they run the risk of ‘melting’ on the grill and falling apart!
I tried to grill the almonds so no oven was necessary and it didnt work out the same. If you found success with this, please let me know!
Not a fan of Kombucha? Substitute any apple cider or red wine vinegar.
If this salad is a bit tart, add 1 tsp of honey to the dressing. Alternatively, dip each apricot into brown sugar before grilling! This will carmelize them even more and reduce the tartness.
A rosé or delicious crisp white would go wonderfully with this salad – try a Vinho Verde!