So how about that Superbowl?  Did you inhale a few too many snacks during the big game and are looking for some dietary redemption?  Fear not, I am here to help you with something sweet, crunchy and delicious.  

I love a good Waldorf Salad, but many of the traditional recipes often are loaded with fatty dressings that drown out the delicious flavors of the ingredients.  It negates the healthful benefits of eating a salad by being overly dressed with fat.  I have my own version of a healthier Waldorf Salad that is really delicious and isn’t going to turn you into a Fatty McFatsauce.

Waldorf Salad

Salad:

• 3 Apples, cored and cut into 1/2″ chunks (I like Gala & Granny Smiths from Full Circle Farms)
• 1 cup Red Grapes, cut in half
• 1/3 cup Walnut pieces
• 1/3 cup Golden Raisins (you can sub Dried Cranberries or Currants)
• 1/2 cup Celery, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice

Dressing:

• 1/4 Plain Yogurt
• 1 Tablespoon Honey
• Juice of Half a Lemon
• Teeny Pinch of Salt

Garnish:

• Butter Lettuce Leaves

Combine the first 6 ingredients and toss well, set aside.  This will be your salad.
In a separate bowl, combine the Yogurt, Honey, Lemon & Salt.  Stir with a fork or a whisk to thoroughly combine.  This will be your dressing.
Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat evenly.

To serve, place a leaf of Butter Lettuce on the plate, then spoon the salad into the lettuce leaf and serve. Enjoy your tasty salad!

Tips:
If you are making this salad ahead of time, do not add the dressing until right before you serve it.  If you dress it too early and it sits around too long your fruits will leak out liquid and you’ll end up with a soupy mess.

Those Butter Lettuce leaves also make a tasty lettuce wrap for eating this healthy salad on the go!

This is about simplicity.  Perfect, fresh ingredients combined together to make a perfectly delicious snack.
This quick & simple little bite works well for a party appetizer, a snack or as a home cooking project with the kids.
Savor delicious simplicity.

Brie & Apple Melts

• 1 Baguette – sliced to 1/2″ thick
• 3-4 Tablspoons Unsalted Butter
• 8 oz Brie, rind removed, thinly sliced
• 2 Green Apples, cored, halved and thinly sliced
• Sprigs of Arugula
• Pinch of Black Pepper, freshly cracked

Cooking temperatures & times will vary depending on the oven or grill being used.
Lightly butter one side of the baguette slices.  You can either place them under a preheated 400º broiler or on a grill, either way you are going to let them toast on one side, until just golden brown.  Once toasted, remove them from the heat and top each slice with the apples.  Now you are going to take your brie and place it in the middle on top of the apple slices.  Return to the broiler (for the grill – protect the bottoms) for just enough time that the brie begins to droop a bit.  Once it starts to melt and droop remove from the heat, transfer the whole lot to a plate and top with springs of arugula and black pepper.

***Cook’s Note:  You can also add crisped pancetta or bacon bits to this recipe for a little added extra sumpthin’ sumpthin’