Avocado, Clementine, Almond and Goat Cheese Salad

We spent the better part of this first of February hiking around in the woods behind our house trying to get a glimpse of our property lines. It was a picturesque morning, with snow gently falling and birds warbling gleefully above us in the birch trees.  It's also gotten to be a rare time when its above zero, and you feel like peeling off layers while trudging through the waist high snow.  It was great to be outside, getting some fresh air and exercise, blowing off some of the cabin fever steam since it's been 20 below for the past month or so.

Tomorrow is judgement day, otherwise known as Groundhog day. According to the legend, if the little critter wakes up on February 2nd and sees his shadow, it freaks him out and he burrows back in his hole to hide. This translates into another 6 weeks of winter. If he doesn't see his shadow, he whistles for the Missus to come on out and scamper about the forest, and this means spring will be early. Though I'm not sure if this is exactly accurate, it sounds good. And I hope that lil' feller doesn't see his shadow, because I'm getting ready for some warmth.

For those of you who read this blog once and a while, you'll probably recall my love songs for salad. I just love it, in all forms. But like any meal, it can get stale if you have it too much, so I've had to get a bit inventive to keep the salad love flowing from time to time. This recipe was born out of a bunch of random stuff, and I've served it when winter is kicking our butt again and again, because it's so cheerful and tasty.

Avocado, Clementine, Almond and Goat Cheese Salad

-1 cup spinach

-1 clementine orange, segmented

-1/4 cup goat chevre, chopped into small balls

- 1/4 avocado, chopped into bite-sized pieces

-2 T. salted almonds

-red wine vinegar

-olive oil

Directions: Add all ingredients to bowl and drizzle with vinegar and oil. Makes one salad.

The creamy avocado and goat cheese are fabulous with the tang of the clementines and salty almonds.

It's hard to have the winter blues with such cheerful salad on your table. Enjoy!