Colorado Pine Nut Salad

Everyone needs a staple salad that goes well with every dish, every occasion! That way you can keep the necessary non-perishable items in your pantry and throw it together at a moments notice. My Mom always made this salad from Creme de Colorado and it is so amazing, everyone raves about it! If you're in a time crunch for dinner, grab a rotisserie chicken from the grocery, fresh baguette, and throw together this salad, and voila!

Colorado Pine Nut Salad
Creme de Colorado

• 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• mixed greens (I love romaine, but anything works here)
• freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 cup coarsely shredded Parmesan

In a small saucepan, boil garlic in water for 10 minutes; drain. In large salad bowl, mash garlic and salt to a paste. Whisk in mustard and vinegar. Add oil while whisking until incorporated. Add lettuce, torn into pieces, toss well, and season with pepper. Sprinkle Parmesan and pine nuts over salad and serve.