Simple Apple Salad

Bill and I first ate a version of this salad at The Spotted Pig in NYC when our server told us it was new on the menu and encouraged us to try it. Created by chef April Bloomfield, for the one-Michelin-starred Pig, Bill tried to recreate it when we got home.  Here's the recipe Bill came up with.

Dressing:
In a cup mix 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1/2 tsp sugar
Add juice of 1/2 lemon. 1 tbsp wine vinegar
Add a light tsp of dijon mustard

Add 2 tbsp olive oil
Mix = your dressing

The Salad:
Depending on the quantity needed:
Mix different apples. For 2 people probably 2 apples will do.
Cut apple in quarters. Cut out the centre seeds area. Now cut into chunks, bite-size.
Put into a bowl.
Chop a handful of Italian parsley (broad leaf) coarsely. You want a bite of parsley flavour.
Chop a small handful of walnuts. 
Chop a handful of old cheddar cheese into small squares. Add all to the bowl.
Dress lightly with the lemony dressing before the apples turn brown (oxidize).

Ready to eat and will last quite well (say a day). If you have leftover dressing save it for next time! Once you've made it, you can adjust to your taste. Salad should have a lemony taste with parsley highlights.

When I looked this up on The Spotted Pig website I saw it was called "Apple Salad with Mrs. Quicke’s Cheddar & Toasted Walnuts".

TOASTED walnuts! Must try that next time! Thank you Ms. Bloomfield!

Happy

Anyone feeling happy?

Wedding in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Last weekend John and I caught a Bloor subway train

 to Islington Station and the Kiss-and-Ride platform to meet my sister, Kathy, and brother-in-law, Brian and be driven to the wedding of my nephew, Ryan, at the Old Winery Restaurant in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Happily the only snowfall we encountered was just as we entered

the famous vineyards of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

We arrived early but soon the other guests began to appear.

In the banquet hall this sign directed us to our seats.

Here's the groom with his mom, my sister-in-law, Merla.

Proud mom beaming.

Danaka and Ryan were joined in their vows by Danaka's daughter, Lily (in blue).

Newly-weds at the candy counter. Sweet, indeed!

Merla's brother, Ron, with his wife, Myrna.

Ryan's older brother, Craig, with his wife, Tivie.

Cousins: Sam, Lily and Ryan.

Ryan with his date.

John with brother-in-law, Brian.

"Take my picture!!"

The bride's mom directed group photos with the wedding photographer.

Zeta, the groom's Grandmother, added a touch of class to some of the group photos.

Everyone got their chance to pose with the lovely bride. Indeed a fine time was had by all! Congratulations Ryan and Danaka!

The Great Beauty

Bill and I saw The Great Beauty (La Grande Bellezza) at the TIFF Lightbox this afternoon. It made us fall in love with Rome all over again.