VALENTINE'S DAY MEAL FOR HER {salad & beverages}

Battle of the sexes day 2. As promised I'm sharing my Valentine's Day salad idea for HER! Healthy, light, pretty and easy to make. 

I wanted something RED or pink and what better than pomegranates? There weren't any available in the produce isle so I bought just the seeds.

And at the local health food market was a large hanging chalkboard that read: These strawberries are in season. The large display of strawberries looked so delightful; a perfect addition to my red salad idea.

As far as the heart-shape goes, I had recently seen this LA chef mentioned in a magazine. His favorite dish was a salad he displayed on the plate in the shape of a circle. It was so pretty that it stuck in my head for days. It gave me the idea for the heart salad.

Valentine's Day Salad 

8 strawberries, sliced
5 Tbls pomegranate seeds {set aside a few for sprinkling}
¾ fennel bulb
4-5 green onions, thinly sliced
2 handfuls arugula
1 lemon, juice
3 pinches sea salt {or to taste} 
pepper, to taste
¼ c hard goat cheese, shaved and cubed {optional}

Balsamic Dressing with Pomegranates

4 Tbls olive oil
2 Tbls balsamic vinegar
2-3 Tbls pomegranates
1 teaspoon agave or honey {optional}

For the salad, chop vegetables into small pices or slivers. The fennel is especially wonderful when FINELY sliced. Larger chunks aren't as tasty. Shave or slice them with a peeler or a mandolin or by hand into very thin pieces as shown in photo below. 

In a bowl combine the veggies. Add the pomegranate seeds, the sea salt and the lemon juice. Toss entire thing. 

For the dressing, combine wet ingredients in a blender with the pomegranates. Blend until fairly smooth and blended. Strain it through a small mesh strainer. Add about 2 Tbls of this dressing to the salad and toss it once again. 

Voila, salad is ready!

Cranberry Pomegranate Margaritas
makes: 2

½ c tequila
½ c unsweetened tart cranberry juice
2 limes, juiced
4 Tbls Cointreau
4 Tbls agave nectar or simple syrup
2 Tbls pomegranate seeds
! Tbls xylitol {or sugar if you want}
Sea Salt

Combine the first 5 ingredients into a bowl. Whisk rapidly or blend in blender until completely combined. In a separate dish combine pom seeds with xylitol and mash a bit. 

Salt the rim of 2 nice cocktail glasses. Filled them ice cubes or crushed ice. Pour mixture over the ice. Using a spoon, top with a blob of the pomegranate mixture.