At My Olive Tree we are preparing to celebrate Shavuot on June 11th. What is Shavuot? This is a special time where we celebrate the gift of the Torah (or instruction).
“The Torah was given by G-d to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai more than 3300 years ago. Every year on the holiday of Shavuot we renew our acceptance of G-d’s gift, and G-d “re-gives” the Torah.
“The word Shavuot means ‘weeks.’ It marks the completion of the seven-week counting period between Passover and Shavuot.
“The giving of the Torah was a far-reaching spiritual event—one that touched the essence of the Jewish soul for all times. Our sages have compared it to a wedding between G-d and the Jewish people. Shavuot also means ‘oaths,’ for on this day G-d swore eternal devotion to us, and we in turn pledged everlasting loyalty to Him. In ancient times, two wheat loaves would be offered in Holy Temple.”[i]
Historically, Shavuot was a holiday celebrating the abundance during the grain harvest. This festival, in ancient times, centered around the agrarian culture of the Jewish people living in Israel. During this time the people also brought their first fruits of the seven species (Wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates) as an offering to the temple in Jerusalem. This was an act of thanksgiving for all that the Lord had provided for them throughout the year.
In modern times, this feast is celebrated with traditional foods that are centered around dairy products and honey. Milk symbolizes the nutrients we all receive when meditating on the Word of God, and honey represents the sweetness of a good God.
Although this season is typically filled with cheese blintzes and sweet cakes, we thought that we would share a healthy alternative to place in between all of those terrific treats you may be sampling. This salad incorporates a savory goat cheese in juxtaposition with the sweetness of the fig. Yum!
Chopped Kale Salad with Goat Cheese and Figs[ii]
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon walnut oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- 10 ounces Tuscan kale, stems discarded and leaves thinly sliced
- 3 Belgian endives, halved, cored and thinly sliced
- One 6-ounce head of radicchio, halved, cored and thinly sliced
- 8 fresh or dried figs, cut into wedges
- 4-ounce goat cheese
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400°. Spread the walnuts in a pie plate and bake for 8 minutes, until golden. Let cool. In a very large bowl, whisk the mascarpone, vinegar and both oils; season with salt and pepper. Add the toasted walnuts, kale, endives, radicchio, and figs; toss well. Season the salad with salt and pepper. Crumble goat cheese over the salad.
(Make Ahead: The mascarpone vinaigrette can be refrigerated overnight.)
If you’re looking for an excellent, high-quality extra virgin olive oil to enjoy, look no further! My Olive Tree’s, Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Northern Israel is light and full of delicate flavor; our Northern Israel oil is perfect for salad dressings, marinades, or as a hummus topping! It mixes well with the spices of your choice leaving you with a smooth and well-balanced flavor.
[i] http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/609663/jewish/What-Is-Shavuot.htm
[ii] http://gourmetkoshercooking.com/2014/05/chopped-kale-salad-with-goat-cheese-and-figs/