Green Man Salad, Organic of course

Ah, sun at last, if only a momentary visitor. It has been a pleasant 24 hours. So distant is the sense of summer in Seattle this year. We are hungry for the sun’s warm kiss upon our skin. As we approach the summer Solstice, barely over one week from now, the sun plays peek-a-boo behind cumulous passers by as I sit in our garden, my feet dangling from one of our favorite benches, my computer resting on my lap. So languid do we wish the sun’s stay to be. Hope is a scary thing; best to pocket it for now, lest I stand in disappointment. The temperature has dropped since an hour ago. Without the sun’s bursting rays, I’ll need a sweater soon.

Solstice celebrations are my favorite, both winter and summer. They evoke the archetype of the shadow self, that part of the self we wish no one to see, that part we often hide even from ourselves. In embracing the demons within, ironically, we are provided access to our truest strength. We discover the freedom and power of authenticity. We needn’t cower from the dark nor believe in false brilliance of the light. All is balance, just as the turning of the cast of shows upon the earth and the illumination of the sun within the sky. As is night and day. As is yin and yang.

The image of the God and Goddess is one honored by many, spoken of only by those willing to embrace the challenges of admiring all true aspects of the self. Earth-based belief systems in the Celtic tradition honored both the strength of the God, masculine, and Goddess, feminine. There was, it seems, a balanced understanding of the necessity of these two complementary aspects, within each as an individual, within clans and societies as a whole, within all of life.

The “Green Man” is known as the consort of the Goddess. Many fables exist around the legend of the Green Man, his face peering through leaves, branches and vines, his spirit a necessary component of any living thing. His presences is known and shared within many cultures around the world with stories too numerous to list.  His image is depicted in art, carvings, and in architecture from churches to public houses. We have images of the Green Man scattered about our garden. Of course, the Goddess is extended equal representation. Generally associated with rebirth and spring, the Green Make makes a presence in summer celebrations of Solstice. So in honoring the abundance of the season, and in anticipation of the Midsummer’s Day to come, I share with you a wee bit of the gifts as offered from the Gods and Goddesses of the garden in the form of this recipe.

Enjoy!

Green Man Salad, Organic of course

6 c. organic mixed mature salad greens

1 c. organic baby dandelion greens

1/3 c. organic chives

6 – 8 slices natural/organic bacon

1 organic shallot, sliced thin

2 T. organic red wine vinegar

2 t. organic fair-trade brown sugar

¼ c. organic olive oil

½ c. organic walnut pieces

sea salt and fresh ground organic pepper to taste

Slice the bacon into lardoons (slices about ½” wide) and sauté until they are crispy. Remove the bits and lay them to drain upon a paper towel-line plate. There should be about ¼ c. bacon drippings remaining, sauté the sliced shallot in these drippings. Once the shallot is translucent, add in enough olive oil to total ½ c., along with the additional ingredients. Salt to taste. Set aside to cool while you rinse and prepare the greens. Add the greens to a salad bowl and drizzle with the dressing. Toss to distribute evenly then top with bacon bits and walnuts. Add salt and pepper to suite your palate.

Bon appétit!

©2010 Taylor Donovan

Source: www.taylorstable.com