Baby Arugula Salad with Toasted Pepitas and Shaved Parmesan
I am dreaming about spring! It was a brisk 17° out today and the chill is getting me down. Do you struggle to check off all the items on your to-do list when it is cold? This winter, even on the weekends, it’s hard to get out and enjoy my “days off.” I generally want to curl up on the couch with Karl and watch an old movie on TCM!
I have been trying to keep a goals calendar to help me focus. On Sunday, when I am writing out my grocery list and doing laundry, I add what I want to accomplish in the week ahead and also reflect on the progress I made the previous week. One of my goals has been to get out of the house and enjoy the weekend. Luckily, in Columbus we have the Franklin Park Conservatory! On a cold and snowy day, you can visit their gorgeous glass houses of mature plants in bloom. Some of the exhibitions are warm enough to strip down to a t-shirt and if the sun is out, you can sit and be warmed by actual daylight on your skin!
In the spirit of wishing for warmer weather, I have made a spring arugula salad with a bright lemon dressing!
Baby Arugula Salad with Toasted Pepitas and Shaved Parmesan
Author: Jodi Boatman Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook time: 9 Minutes
Total Time: 30 Minutes Yields: 4 Servings
Ingredients:
Salad:
4 C Baby Arugula
1/4 C Shaved Parmesan
Pepper
Toasted Pepitas:
1/2 C Pepitas
1/2 tsp Olive Oil
1/4 tsp Smoky Paprika
1/4 tsp Chili Powder
Pinch of Salt
For the Dressing:
1/4 C freshly squeezed Lemon Juice
zest of 2 Lemons
1/3 C Olive Oil
2 cloves Garlic
2 tsp Honey
1/4 tsp Salt
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 325F. Toss pepitas with olive oil, paprika, chili powder and pinch of salt. Toast pepitas for about 9 minutes. You want the pepitas to start to turn golden in color. Stir occasionally and watch to make sure they do not burn. Set aside to cool.
Mix together all ingredients for the dressing and set aside.
Added arugula, shaved parmesan, toasted pepitas and dressing in a large bowl. Toss until combined. Serve immediately and garnish with a few extra shaved parmesan.
