Corn, Parmesan, and Baby Greens with Balsamic Dressing

Here’s the downside to having your youngest *finally* in school all day: you spend more time cleaning and organizing. Why? Because it’s there. And, now you have no excuse not to do it.  So, there I was cleaning out the refrigerator while simultaneously trying to figure out what to make for lunch. I knew I wanted a salad, but what to put in it? 

I was sifting through the produce, tossing out the moldy zucchini and dried up looking summer squash (R.I.P.) when I saw it –

– an entire ear of corn, all cooked and ready to be devoured. {hello sweetness}

I tossed greens, some grated carrot, the corn, slivered almonds, grated Parmesan, and a homemade balsamic dressing into a large mixing bowl, tossed it, and sat down to the best salad I’ve had in a long time. The sweet corn, salty cheese, and tangy dressing all mingled together in happy lunchtime bliss.

So, the next time you are cleaning house in the fridge, stop and think for a minute: 

WWJD?
(What would Julia do )

Corn, Parmesan, and Baby Greens with Balsamic Dressing
Serves 1 glorious momma

2 cups baby greens (I like Olivia’s Organics Spring Mix)
1/2 cup (ish) grated carrot
kernels slices from one ear of corn
2 tablespoons slivered almonds
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons Balsamic Dressing (recipe below)

Balsamic Dressing
adapted from Food Network
Yield: about 1 cup

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
3/4 cup olive oil

Whisk together the vinegar, garlic and seasonings. Slowly add in olive oil, whisking as you do. (Alternately, you could put all the ingredients in a screw-top jar or salad cruet and shake until well mixed.) Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. This is a great base dressing which you can morph however you like – increase the garlic, add a little brown sugar, increase the mustard, whatever!

Put all salad ingredients in a large bowl. Add desired amount of dressing and toss gently. Transfer to a small bowl and enjoy immediately!

Tagged as: almonds, baby greens, corn in salad, emeril's balsamic vinaigrette, grated carrots, homemade balsamic dressing, Olivia's Organics spring mix, vegetarian