Mixed Salad with Feta & Golden Raisins

Now, salad, that is something I can get behind. Of course, with the added caveat that Josh and I are both extremely finicky about our salads. I basically only like the lowest rent of lettuce and consider myself a connoisseur of dressings. Josh hates all dressing altogether (what he may consider one of his most embarrassing traits) and prefers his lettuce (and veg, for that matter) to be apportioned in large, finger-friendly sizes so he can eat with his hands. Quite a pair, we two.

So, it was with extreme skepticism along with a wispy tincture of hope that I approached the Mixed Salad with Feta & Golden Raisins given to us by Josh's parents' friends, the Mertzes (Carol & Skip, not Ethel & Fred). First, it involved non-iceberg lettuce, which is never a good sign for me. On top of that, raisins. Momma isn't a big fan of raisins. The recipe evidently originates from Maya Angelou in The Welcome Table. I don't know how that impacts things, I'm just reporting it.

The salad calls for bibb lettuce and watercress, which it turns out are not super easy to come by--at least in my neighborhood. After I was about to strike out at the THIRD grocery store (ghetto Vons and pseudo-ghetto Ralph's were goose eggs), I gave in and asked the produce guy for help. He pointed me toward the watercress, which I suddenly realized didn't look like what I'd imagined, which means I may have missed it elsewhere. He had no idea what bibb lettuce was, however. What with its being the third and most likely grocery store produce-wise, I decided to whip out the trusty iPhone and see if there was another name/suitable substitute for bibb lettuce, at which point I discovered that bibb lettuce is also called butter lettuce, which they had at the other places.

So. Now we know that.

Putting the salad together was easier than finding the ingredients, so it was nice and fast. The dog, who is normally a huge fan of all salad ingredients, was pretty disappointed that tomatoes and carrots weren't involved, and shocked me by turning his nose up at the watercress. This is a dog that routinely eats leaves of spinach out of my hand, and is sizing up our new herb garden for exactly when he will stage his attack.

I am rather pleased and surprised to report that this salad was better than I expected. The bibb/butter lettuce passes Heather muster, which is a huge deal. The feta always passes Heather muster (oh feta, sweet, sweet feta). The golden raisins even worked for me, which is a shock, and the dressing had a pleasant zing thanks to the fresh garlic. I may even do it again, albeit without the watercress part - Big's thumbing it down made me pick around it when I ate my salad. I am aware this is insane.

For Josh's part, he sampled a dressing-free version (one must make certain concessions in a marriage), which he proclaimed 'good, but not finger-friendly.' Makes sense.

As a side note: I'm going to be off for a few days at my cousin's wedding, so in all likelihood you will now be facing a July 4th weekend break in your blogging activities. Recipe reporting will resume after the nation's birthday (and Sara's nuptials) have completed. Hope you survive all right.

Yup, salad.

The Angelou/Mertz Mixed Salad With Feta & Golden Raisins

1 head bibb (butter!) lettuce
1 bunch watercress
1 cup golden raisins
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp fresh lemon (yes) or lime (no) juice
1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp finely minced fresh garlic
salt & pepper to taste
1 cup crumbled feta cheese

Remove and discard old leaves from lettuce and watercress. Feed to dog, who eats the bibb bits, but spits out the watercress. Feel dubious. Wash, wrap in paper towels and refrigerate.

Put raisins into small pot with water to cover and simmer for three minutes. Take off heat and set aside so raisins can plump. Think about how you could have probably done this to revive the dried cranberries in the Gorgonzola Walnut Tart.

In large salad bowl, place oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well. (This may be done an hour before dinner). Realize this means you are supposed to mix the dressing into the salad bowl, and the ramifications that will have for Josh. Decide to mix it in regular non-salad bowl instead to preserve your marriage.

Just before serving salad at table, remove greens from the refrigerator and tear into large pieces into bowl. Do so for the bibb lettuce. Pretend to do so with the watercress, then wait for Josh to leave the room and throw most of it away instead. That watercress looked limp. And the dog didn't like it!

Drain raisins, discarding water. Mix dressing and raisins and greens. Or everything but the dressing, because that you will just put on yours. Sprinkle feta cheese on top and serve at once.