Maybe it’s a little crazy, but I kind of like it when I get a sweet bagel & cream cheese & get a little taste of garlic…like the cinnamon sugars have been mingling with the everythings. It’s unexpected, but I like it, just like I like this salad.

It’s a pretty basic salad with arugula & celery, toasted nuts & tons of sweet apple slices, but the clove of garlic in the creamy dressing add just enough edge to keep things interesting.  Just like I like it.

Any weird food combinations you like?  Share them!  We’re all friends here 🙂

APPLE & ARUGULA SALAD
serves 4-6

about 12 rosemary leaves (the “needles”)
1 clove garlic, minced
large pinch kosher salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
2 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
freshly ground pepper, to taste

3 celery stalks, thinly sliced
2 sweet apples, cored, cut into sixths & thinly sliced (we used Pink Ladies, but Honeycrisps would be good, too.)
4 large handfuls arugula
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted

To make the dressing, place the rosemary & minced garlic on a cutting board & cover with a generous pinch of salt.  Using the flat side of a knife, mash into a paste.  Add to a small bowl & mix together with sugar, sour cream & white vinegar.  Mix everything to combine, season with pepper & more salt, if necessary.  Set aside, or cover & refrigerate for later.

Add the celery, apples, arugula & most of the pine nuts to a large bowl & add half of the dressing.  Toss until combined.  Serve with extra dressing dabbed on top & sprinkle on remaining pine nuts.

adapted slightly from 101 Cookbooks