Diana is our mamacita.
Allow me to explain: when my in-laws first moved to Florida, they immersed themselves in the Florida theatre community and met a woman by the name of Diana. Her life is rich with stories. She's got Spaniard roots, converted to Judaism, has taken care of many cats, and her mother lived to be well over 100, and continued to ballroom dance in her triple digits. Diana has been a lively grandmotherly figure for my wife, and to me as well, as she and my brother became close friends working together in theatre.
I could sing praises about Diana for days. She embodies class, warmth, and joy. Our wedding china is her former Passover china. She sends handwritten thank you cards. She refers to our son as "Master Finn." She's also wickedly talented; I've seen her take the stage playing mothers, villains, and both at the same time.
While Diana is known for a slew of unique characteristics, one of her most notable is her ability to entertain at the drop of a hat. Diana stocks a full bar with liquors she doesn't even specifically drink in the event of a surprise guest. Diana's pantry and fridge are both always stocked with ingredients to make a quick meal or appetizer. Diana never thinks twice about breaking out the nice plates and cloth napkins when you're in her presence. You feel special with Diana.
Diana has lots of recipes that harken to her Spanish roots, and has shared many of them with my wife and I over the years. Her paella, arroz con pollo, Spanish beef stew. Weirdly, the recipe of hers we make the most is actually a simple salad that we have dubbed "Diana Salad." It's a flexible recipe with ingredients you probably already have, and if you don't you certainly won't be breaking the bank to obtain them. The one staple of a Diana Salad is always mandarin oranges, straight from the can waiting in the cupboard for a salad emergency, because even your appetizer deserves to have a little sweetness.
The dressing is a base dressing that is also adaptable. It only contains a few simple ingredients: olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic, and dried herbs. If you're looking for something creamier, add a teaspoon or so of mustard (which my wife does to make a chilled green bean salad). If you want it to be spicier for a taco salad, just add some dried spice or a finely diced chili. Diana Salad isn't about fuss, though frills are welcome; a salad should be pretty after all.
We often have Diana Salad as an appetizer, but it also makes a lovely pairing for a "soup and salad" dinner. I made this to pair with my sofrito beans last week and we finished our meal with full stomachs.
People don't often consider a salad to be comfort food, and normally I don't either. But there's something about this salad that feels like mamacita is right there, even if she is on the opposite side of the country.
With mandarin oranges and a mamacita,
~c.j.
DIANA SALAD
PREP TIME: 10 minutes
YIELD: 4-6 servings, depending on if it is an appetizer or a larger part of your meal
INGREDIENTS
1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp vinegar (Diana usually uses white balsamic, but any vinegar that you like words)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried herbs (Diana usually uses tarragon or basil, but any dried herb works)
1 tsp kosher salt
freshly cracked black pepper
5 oz salad greens, such as mesclun mix or baby spinach
3 Roma tomatoes, cut into sixths
1 small red or white onion, thinly sliced (if you don't love raw onion, you can omit or soak in ice water about 5 minutes before mixing into the salad)
2 ripe avocados, cut into chunks
1/2 c. salted roasted nuts (usually pistachios, but any nut will do)
1 15 oz can of mandarin oranges in syrup, strained
DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, vinegar, garlic, dried herbs, salt, and a few turns of cracked black pepper. Whisk vigorously to combine. (Alternatively, you can put all the ingredients in a mason jar and shake vigorously, my preferred method). Set aside.
In a large salad bowl, add greens, tomatoes, onion, avocados, nuts, and mandarin oranges. Gently toss, then drizzle with dressing and toss completely. Serve as an appetizer or alongside soup.
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