Spring Forward, A Fresh Salad With Creamy Meyer Lemon Dressing And Some Shopping
Spring salad
Although it won’t officially be spring until Friday, March 20th at 6:46 PM, we have taken one giant leap by changing the clocks, moving them forward one hour which gives us an extra hour of daylight, in my opinion having to wake up an hour earlier is cruel and unecessary, leave the clocks be please (editorial opinions are strictly my own). I have proclaimed that it is Spring in my house today by opening some of my windows to let in some fresh (cold) air and although there is still snow piled up outside, I made a fresh salad in honor of Spring, This salad was born out of necessity, I needed to use watermelon radish, frisee, beets, spring onion and blood orange before they went bad, threw some garbanzo beans in and had a small wedge of 2 day old sourdough bread that I cut into cubes and made some pan fried croutons. The dressing is simple, meyer lemon juice, mayonaise, olive oil, mint and basil (both dried), the flavor is creamy and bright and it went so nicely on the salad, you don’t have to use mayonnaise you can use yogurt for a lighter dressing or simply lemon, oil and herbs for an even lighter one. I hope you all enjoy your extra hour of daylight and we will all soon be enjoying lovely Spring weather and beautiful produce.
Vegetables
Salad for one:
handful of frisee
beet cut into bite size pieces
scallions or spring onion
watermelon radish cut into strips
1 blood orange, or orange supremed used half the orange in the salad and squeezed the juice of the other half on top of the salad
garbanzo beans about 1/4 cup
croutons
Toasted nuts would also be a great option in this salad
Instead of croutons you could add a whole grain like farro, freekeh, barley or whatever you like.
Toss it all in a bowl (pretty easy right)
Meyer lemon dressing
2 tbs mayonaise
juice of a meyer lemon a (you determine how thick or thin you like your dressing)
drizzle of olive oil
dried mint and basil or whatever herbs you want to use, fresh is best but dried will do nicely.
salt and pepper to taste
Whisk everything together, add the lemon juice little by little until you reach the desiered consistency.
One of my favorite things to do is go to the local Marshall’s houseware department. They have great stuff for the kitchen an home. I could literally spend hours there and never leave empty handed. Today I got some assorted bowls, a great ceramic pitcher and found this pug mug that I couldn’t resist, I needed a new spoon cradle and I fell in love with a vibrant ceramic eggplant spoon cradle. Last month I decided to re furnish, my guest room, I bought new furniture and rugs, today I found some cool accessories, throw pillows, and some really nice baskets, it’s so much fun to shop.
Pug mug
spoon cradle
apuginthekitchen 
Those gorgeous radishes again – I wish I could get them here. Your salad looks very tempting indeed. Sorry to hear you still have snow – it’s spring here at last (22°C) after weeks of torrential rain… Hope you get your Spring soon.
Wow, its quite warm, lucky you. This week promises to be nice, in the 40’s (F) and I think there is one day where it will hit 50 degree’s so I am so hopeful Spring will be here soon. I will take at least a solid week or more of warmish temps to melt all the snow and ice. Thanks so much.
Your “spring forward salad” looks divine. Go ahead and celebrate spring early — God knows we need it! After all, the weather forecasters say it is already spring — “meteorological spring.” (Although, IMHO that’s just more proof of their confusion and delusion… 😀 But that’s okay. I’m ready to celebrate.)
Oh, and marvelous Marshall’s finds. Love the mug. Spring-forward-hugs. 🙂 ❤
Ha, well if it’s meterorlogical spring then it really is. I so look forward to it and yes I think all of us especially those that live in the Northeast really deserve it. Thanks Teagan, do you think the alchemist and woman in trousers would like this salad?
No–I’m with you and the astronomical spring. I just thought it was a handy excuse. 😀
Oh, I am sure the characters would love this salad. LOL. It would be non-traditional enough to delight the mysterious “woman in trousers,” and Cornelis Drebbel would think it utterly magical. Copper might make a face at first, but one bite would win her over. 😀 Huge hugs ❤
Lol, after those delicious sourdough pancakes and jam I am certain Copper would turn up her nose at a salad after all she is a child. I’ll go with whatever makes it Spring whether it be the temps, astrological, calendar. I’ll take it!!
Since I have a Meyer Lemon tree in my front yard I’m always looking for new ways to use them. Spring is just around the corner.
Lucky you with a meyer lemon tree. How wonderful. yes Spring will be here soon. Thank you Gerlinde.
It’s much warmer here today! Loved te dressing Suzanne!
Beautiful! Will try it for sure. Saving the recipe.
Thanks Sonal, it’s simple but really bright in flavor. Thank you.
Love the mug! Salad is always a good idea and yours looks fantastically Spring.
Its a very springy salad. Thanks Stacey, love my pug mug. I collect all things pug, mugs, paintings, ceramics. I’m a bit nutty.
Nutty for your Pug…as you should be.
LOL, I am.
Roll on spring. This salad looks delicious. Thanks for sharing. Emma xx
Thanks Emma, yes Spring can roll right on in.
Now that is a stunning salad! No one’s going hungry after that feast 😀
Thanks so much, it was lovely, bright and crunchy.
We had a little peek into spring here yesterday, it was beautiful 🙂 I love that spoon cradle!!! X
They had a bunch of different cradles, fruit, vegetables the eggplant spoke to me. LOL, sounds silly I know but I love everything eggplant.
Me too!! I have a lovely mug with an eggplant/aubergine on that lovely Selma sent me 🙂 x
I love pears the shape of them is special to me and I feel that way about eggplant and I really get excited when I see the fuschia and lilac colored eggplant at the market. I have to find a eggplant mug, sounds great. Next time you do the “In the Kitchen” post take a photo would love to see it.
Glad it is warming up a bit for you and your pooch! We are going through our Meyers way too fast, as I use 1-2 in cooking or drinks every day…
Oh lucky you with a lemon tree. They are so juicy and wonderful, I prefer to regular lemons although I do love anything lemon, it’s so bright and vibrant. Thanks Liz.
lovely food!:)
Thanks so much Ayesha!
I love that mug!!! I can’t wait to welcome spring!
I want to start collecting pug mugs, I’m a collector of mugs, all shapes and sizes and colors and patterns. I love mugs and can never resist. Thanks Francesca. Spring must get here soon.
Hi Suzanne, so happy to see you find a Pug mug. I will keep my eye open down here for anything Pug related for you!!! The salad reminds me a bit of a Panzanella! I loveeeeee salads and eat one at least two times a week for lunch. Meyer lemon (I do have them growing as well as regular lemons) love the flavor especially in salad dressings too. I will be so happy to hear your temps. have climbed into the 40-50’s…Hugs to sweet Nando.
Thank you so much. It is a little similar to panzanella which I LOVE. Lucky you with meyer lemon tree, you live in paradise Yes the temps tomorrow will be in the high 40’s. Last week my pipe burst on the garden level and flooded everything. This coming week I can have it repaired because of the warmer temps. It’s been rough this winter.
Yes, it was a very rough winter! Sorry, to hear about pipe but repairable. Let the snow melt and quickly! Have a good week my friend.
:o) you too have a great week.
Can’t wait to make this dressing! I too wish the clocks did not change; I’d prefer not to “fall back” losing an hour of light in the evening no longer feels necessary in 2015! Cheers to Spring!
It’s disruptive and unnecessary really. I wish they would repeal or whatever they do lets just keep the time the change year round. Thanks Michelle. Cheers to Spring indeed.
A serendipitous salad ! – and I particularly love the eggplant spoon-rest …
Thank you, I love my eggplant spoon rest, here’s hoping my clumsy fingers don’t drop it like I did my last one, Maybe I should go back there and get a second one.
Tsk, Suzanne ! Might be a good thing … 🙂
:o)
This salad just says “Yes it is Spring” The lemon dressing sounds so bright and delicious. I love Marshalls. They have a sister store called Home Goods that I go into withdrawal if I can’t get my fix regularly! They have such unique things.
I didn’t know Home Goods was Marshalls sister store. They have the best things, I love going there. Thanks Julie. How are you?
As is TJ Maxx. I am doing pretty well. Still none weight bearing until at least March 24 but getting stronger every day. Made cookies today and they came out like I have never baked before. Wah…no post.
Glad you are doing well, oh no cookie disaster. I bet even your disasters are delicious.
Gorgeous salad. All the best cooking is the cooking born out of the need to use up ingredients! I love that. And the second photograph – BEAUTIFUL!
Thank you, it’s so true, I hate wasting food and try to use it before it goes bad, I will sometimes purchase things with the intention of making something but life and business get in the way and I end up not having the time, this was a good save of some lovely ingredients,
Wow that dressing sounds amazing Suzanne. .. love your pug mug that looks cute….. 👍👍
Thank you Chitra, I love everything pug. LOL!!
Spring indeed! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Meyer lemon where I live. How are they different?
They are very juicy, not as acidic as a regular lemon also not quite as tart. They also have an almost herbal note can’t quite put my finger on. They are absolutely delicious.
Maybe I need to have some shipped to me! They sound lovely!
They are worth the effort definitely. I love using meyers when I cook and bake.
My Meyer lemons will be ripening in the next few weeks Suzanne, so I’ll be trying this lovely dressing for sure! Oh and a little retail therapy now and then is such a good thing! 🙂
Oh another lucky person with a lemon tree. I wish we could grow them in NYC but thats not happening, A big yes to some retail therapy, Thanks Margot.
Your time has changed already? Ours doesn’t for nearly three weeks – can’t wait! Grief, it’s been an especially long winter this time. This weekend, although feel like temps weren’t much above freezing, really did feel like early spring. Not that I had my windows open for long! But the sun shone. 🙂 As for salads, I’ve been eating them for a while now. They’re just so easy to prep. But I must remember yoghurt. That’s such a good sub for mayo that I never buy.
How funny! You’ve just left a lovely comment on mine.
They moved it up here in the states both times the clocks move. It’s silly they should just leave it.
Bowl of salad with yummy dressing is perfect for the coming season
Thank you so much.
HAHAHAHA I love the cup What the Pug!! And the salad is beautiful. I love a frisee salad – a green not used nearly enough in my opinion. And yum on that dressing!!!
I know I had to laugh when I saw that mug, thank you and I agree frisee is not used nearly as much as it should be used, it is so rare that I see it even on menu’s in restaurants, it was my Mom’s favorite and we had it often when I was growning up. Thanks so much Susan.
Love the sound of meyer lemon and mayonnaise combining together. Looking for new salad dressing ideas so yours come just in time!
Thanks Jasline, it is a really delicious dressing, the meyer lemon is so bright and flavorful.
Suzanne a great recipe to Spring into Spring!! 🙂 I love it and the dressing yummmm!! I hope this week brings some warmer weather, I sure am looking forward to that here and a little east and north since I am going to Pittsburgh on the 18th for a few days…no more snow!! 🙂
Thanks so much Amy, I hope the weather is good in Pittsburgh. We all deserve and need Spring. I can’t wait to go to the farmers market and get all that great produce.
What a great way to start Spring. I love making fresh salads and this looks so refreshing after all of the heavy foods of winter.
Thanks Sharon, thats exactly what I wanted something light and refreshing. I’ve about had it with winter and heavy foods.
I’ll have to try that dressing!
It’s delicious hope you give it a try!! Thank you.
This salad is perfect to lead us into spring! Looks delicious. 🙂 I’m with you on the clock thing… leave them alone, please. Ahhh….Marshall’s! I spent several hours last week bouncing from Marshall’s to Home Goods to TJMaxx… so many treasures to discover in those walls!
We don’t have home goods around me but I think there probably is a TJ Maxx I never knew they were all the same company. I just have so much fun shopping their houseware dept. Thanks Nancy, yes that salad is so spring like I love it.
The stores are all part of the same parent company. Browsing through the stores is one of favorite things to do when time allows…it’s somewhat addictive!
mmm… this looks like such a great dish. I love radishes and the dressing looks good! 🙂
Thanks Petra, the creamy citrusy dressing is so nice with everything.
I don’t know what looks better the salad or the mug! Cheers!
Thanks Julian LOL, love that mug.
Looks yummy! I liked the dressing. 🙂
Thanks so much.
What the Pug! Nice post! I love your salad “born out of necessity.” The sourdough croutons look rich and crisp, and your watermelon radish is gorgeous. Nice balance of sweetness from the orange and slightly bitter bite from the scallion. And creamy garbanzo beans; yes, please. Your blog always inspires me to prepare simple (yet exceptional!) recipes. I’ve been scrolling down your webpage gawking at the delicious food porn this morning with my coffee and muffin.
Shanna thank you so much, you are so sweet.
Isn’t it amazing how we overnight switch our eating habits from soups and stews to refreshing salads like this wonderful salad of yours. Our tummies are highly adaptable organs, I wish I could say the same for my brain, as this clock change is driving me nuts and I can barely keep my eyes open.
Me too, I’m having problems in the morning. I have to get up early to feed Nando and give him his insulin and I have been so tired I turn the alarm off and go back to sleep. This morning I was 30 minutes late giving his insulin. Yes after months of cold, being sealed in our homes I crave fresh air and lighter food. Thanks Aleksandra.
Suzanne the way you’ve started your post made me laugh a lot… I’ve just cooked and written my second recipes for this week in the same way! And guess what I have prepared??? A salad! So, it only remains for me to try your salad, which looks very very yummy! p.s great invention moving the clocks forward!
Things have been so crazy with work I am so sorry I just saw this, I have to read your post, I am decorating cupcakes tonight but hoping before I get to bed tonight I will be able to read. Thank you so much. After the horrific weather here a little humor helped. LOL, thank you!!
your salad looks great and makes us want spring even more! totally agree with you on the time change! still having a hard time getting up in the mornings! boo!
Thank you so much, I am so off because of this damn time change, Ugh.,,
That’s a super salad to celebrate the arrival of Spring. I have never been sure when one season ends another begins, here people debate weather Spring starts on the 1st February or the 1st March? I think it starts as soon as the daffodils poke their heads about the ground!
I like that, yes when the daffdils bloom it is spring!!! Soon enough here, I can actually see the earth, the snow is melting. Thank you so much.
We are changing hour the last weekend of March and I can’t wait! Your salad looks absolutely perfect Suzanne! Healthy and with the beautiful aroma of lemon!
This is either the first or second year that it was actually moved up changing the clocks sooner both times. It’s nice to have the extra hour of daylight but I think I’d rather have that extra hour to sleep. LOL. Thank you so much.
This salad looks so delicious and refreshing Suzanne. I love frisee and could just eat it by the handful, lol! I also love lemon dressings, so I bet this whole salad was so flavorful. I love that mug too, so cute!
Thanks Brandi, I also love frisee, slightly bitter and so delicious. The lemon dressing is great on the salad.
Thats a delicious welcome to spring Suzanne ☺ Love the spoon cradle. It’s so nice 😍
Thank you, I was so happy to have found that spoon cradle.
I have been missing your posts! Shame on me! 🙂 I love Marshall’s too and have so many things I’ve picked up there – a lot of kitchen stuff and I always seem to find great lamps there. My son has been so rambunctious when he was a kid and a teenager we’ve gone through a slew of them over the years!
I’ve been craving salad, and was able to open my windows this week! Hallejuia! This one looks lovely!
Thanks, I too love Marshalls, they have some great stuff there. We had a few days of nice warmish weather, it’s gotten a bit colder, still not as bad as it was so for that I am thankful. I had my windows open for 2 days. It was so nice getting some fresh air. Me too, re the salads, after all this time with the heavy wintery foods, something light and springy is so welcome.
I didn’t realise that there was actually a date and time to declare the beginning of Spring in the USA. Over here in Australia, we just mark the seasons by month. Exactly three months for each, regardless of whether the weather represents what the season should be! Right now, it’s the first month of autumn despite the weather still being summery, hot and humid. Your weather/seasonal split is probably more accurate. Love the fact that spring is on the way though, yaaaay! What gorgeous things you have to look forward to – fresh veg, warmer weather, flowers and longer days. This salad is a great representation of the start of spring. Love the idea of that creamy, lemony dressing. Yum! xx
P.S I LOVE the mug 😉
another “throw things together” success story, Suzanne 🙂 Looks amazing and yes, hooray for spring whenever it finally arrives. Love love love the eggplant spoon rest. Great find!