We have really been enjoying our CSA farm baskets these past few weeks. Through the early part of the season, we get tons and tons of fresh greens from the farm. We eat salads through the spring until we nearly turn into bunnies, so it’s a great time for me to make all sorts of fun salad dressings for us to jazz up our daily dose of roughage. Here’s a great one, my own variation of Green Goddess Dressing, based on the famous dressing first made in San Francisco, California, at the Palace Hotel.

Fresh Blackberry Vinaigrette

I started bookmarking recipes using kale about a year ago now. We get tons of it in our weekly CSA baskets, so I wanted to be prepared for this season. Lucky me, kale has grown very popular over the past year or so and is touted as one of the healthiest foods you can eat these days! So it was easier to find some great recipes out there using kale than it had been in the past.

Well, it’s a good thing I had done my recipe research because what was in our very first basket of the season but a huge bunch of kale! With my new arsenal of recipes (other than just stewing it with other greens), I went to work.

This fruit dip is absolutely addictive. My sister-in-law makes it for us on occasion, and it works great as either an appetizer, dessert, or summer afternoon snack. I was so excited that she agreed to let me blog it when she made it for Mother’s Day this weekend! There was a good bit of impatience and teasing aimed in my general direction as I snapped these photos – the whole family loves this stuff – but I think you will agree, dear readers, that it was worth it.

You will not believe how tasty this dip is. Plus, you know me, friends, and you KNOW how I love an *unexpected ingredient* – check out what makes this recipe so special! Good ol’ fashioned Tang!

Here is a wonderful spin on the traditional hummus recipe I blogged recently. The roasted red peppers give hummus a tangy sweetness, and an extra zesty spice.

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The key to the perfect trail mix is to hit that ration of sweet-n-savory right on the nose. Here, the sweet tartness of dried fruits and chocolate compliments the salty pretzels, nuts, and goldfish. The combination of textures and flavors is so satisfying – perfect for an extra energy boost on the run.

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