Sometimes God talks to me in a loud and clear manner, and yet I have a difficult time hearing…either that or I’m slow to answer. It’s more often than not the latter. Then there are times when I can hear even His slightest, most gentle whispers. Those are usually the moments when I am most vulnerable and in need of His saving grace. Since the beginning of the summer, God has been blatantly preparing and moving my heart for a specific purpose – to love my neighbors. I’ve been quite slow to respond, but the momentum has definitely been picking up. My women’s Bible study group has been getting together every other Monday to read and discuss a book called, Small Things with Great Love: Adventures in Loving your Neighbor (I highly recommend). The current sermon series at my church is titled “Loving Your Neighbor.” His message for me couldn’t get any clearer than that. Then there is Explore God…
Oh boy, am I thrilled to share with you about this city-wide movement (with more than 100 churches participating in Austin). The main mission is to encourage believers and non-believers alike to “know God more deeply and experience God more fully.” Christian or not, we all have questions (I know I have TONS), and it can serve as a platform to bring communities together and help people engage in exploring life’s challenging spiritual questions. There are plenty of resources, sermons, common questions and answers (e.g “Why Does God Allow Pain and Suffering? Is Christianity Too Narrow? Is the Bible Reliable?…”) on the website, so please do check it out!
What I’ve begun to realize is that I don’t need to go on a mission trip to a foreign country to spread God’s unending love. I can start in my own neighborhood. I am embarrassed to admit that I don’t know my neighbors at all. I mean I’m not pure evil. I wave my hand with a pleasant smile as I drive by or as I’m walking Kona, but I couldn’t tell you their names, jobs, hobbies…Sadly, “strangers” is a better suited term than “neighbors.” This actually never bothered me until recently. Tim and I walked around our neighborhood this past Sunday night to simply pray for our neighbors, and I was overcome with a deep yearning to know them. As we’re both shy (I guess I’m a notch above Tim and that’s not saying much), we will be taking baby steps, but that’s ok, right? Introducing ourselves to those on our block and inviting them over for dinner sounds like a great place to start. What do you think? It’s nerve-racking and exciting at the same time!
I am excited to see how God will open the eyes and stir the hearts of many in Austin and beyond. I’ve lived here for six years now, and while I can’t say I’ve loved every single moment of it, I can’t think of a better place to be than right here. People are friendly, vibrant, and unique in their own right. There’s no shortage of places to eat, great music to listen to, and enjoyable activities to engage in. Sustainability and supporting local farmers are highly embraced, as evidenced by the abundance of Farmers Markets and restaurants using only locally-sourced ingredients. My Saturday mornings would not be the same without a trip to the Farmers Market. I feel blessed. Just look at the beautiful produce…Makes me happy.
This is actually my first time making the Goddess dressing. I didn’t even know what it was until now. But since I’m determined to cook my way through Salad for Dinner, I was prompted to try.
The dressing couldn’t be simpler to make. I made some slight substitutions – Greek yogurt instead of mayo and basil rather than tarragon (just bc I have an overabundance of basil in my garden..didn’t think I’d ever say that). I left out the feta cheese as I’m still not a huge fan. Neither is the Hungryman. Feel free to substitute with another kind of cheese if you are in the same boat as us. I especially LOVED the dressing with the crunchy, refreshing cucumber. It made for a perfect snack throughout the week. I recommend refrigerating the dressing before serving as it tastes 100 times better cold in my opinion. I think you will agree.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces haricots verts or regular green beans, trimmed
- 12 cups mixed greens I used oakleaf lettuce
- 2 cucumbers sliced
- Grape tomatoes
- 4 hardboiled eggs
- 4 ounces of feta cheese or your choice, crumbled
Green Goddess Dressing
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt I used Chobani
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup snipped chives
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 2 garlic cloves peeled
- 2 tsp chopped anchovy about 2 fillets
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- For the dressing: combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Cook haricots verts in a sauce pan of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl of ice water immediately to stop the cooking process. Drain them well and pat dry.
- Arrange haricots verts, cucumbers, and tomatoes atop the greens. You can either grate the hardboiled eggs or simply slice. Sprinkle with cheese of choice and serve with cold dressing.
Nutrition
And here’s what I’ve made from the cookbook so far…I’ve loved every single one of them.
Top row (left to right):
Bottom row (left to right):
- Warm Mushroom Salad
- Orange, Farro & Beet Salad
Let’s keep going! 😉
I have been meaning to make this dressing. Thanks Min. Love the basil substitution because I have plenty in my tiny patio too and it will be used wonderfully here soon 🙂
I’ve been adding basil to just about anything and everything ;). It works beautifully in the dressing so hope you give it a try!
This salad looks so beautiful! Greek yogurt + garlic? you got me. 🙂 Sounds amazing.
Pinning this!
-abbie
p.s. I love what you said up there about exploring God. You’re right–the best place to start showing God’s love is right where you are. Sometimes you’ll find most hungry people where you least expect them. 🙂
Thanks, Abbie! And yes, I’m beginning to realize that I don’t need to look far.
What a light and fresh salad! And I absolutely love the dressing recipe, sounds delicious!
Thank you, Yvonne!
I haven’t had green goddess dressing for a long time and your salad looks wonderful.
Hi Maureen! It was my first time trying, and it was marvelous! I’ve def been missing out 😉
I love that you have such a sense of purpose with your life and approach to your community. This salad is presented impeccably too!
I’ve realized that everything has been about me me me lately. No wonder I’m so grumpy all the time. I look forward to investing in people around me.
This post is absolutely beautiful Min. Thanks for this lovely reminder to love God and our neighbors. sometimes it sure takes alot of patience and it´s difficult, but it really helps with friends like you who are constantly reminding and encouraging me to keep on loving, no matter what. You´re right – we don’t need to go on a mission trip of get out of our social circles to spread God’s love, we can start right where we are. so thank you my dear friend for this.
And of course, this salad looks beautiful! I’ve been eating quite a few salads with Val these days (cos she’s into healthy eating and is trying to return to Singapore without gaining any weight from Argentine food), so I’ll be taking a leaf out of your salads book one day!
big hug my dear!
Your comments always warm my heart, Felicia. Thank you. I’m glad my thoughts resonated with you. You always encourage and motivate me too!
And yay to healthy eating! With meals like your chicken quinoa salad, she would not be gaining any weight that’s for sure 😉
You always inspire me with your posts, Min!! I am hoping to start a women’s ministry at our church, and this would be a great book to read together. I, too, could definitely be more “neighborly”…thanks for the reminder that there is much good work that we can do right where we are. Miss you, friend!!
Hi Maura!!! I’ve missed you!! That’s awesome that you are starting a women’s ministry! So important…Having grown up so sheltered, this book is challenging me in so many ways. Def worth a read! Miss you too. Say hello to everyone for me 🙂
Two salads in one night, and both contain anchovy! I think that is a sign for me to use anchovy, what do you think? I knew my neighbors when we moved in 14 years ago,but most have moved away now. The replacements all have VERY small children, so we have NOTHING in common. A bad excuse maybe, but seriously, what could we possibly have to talk about? 🙂 I do wave , if that counts for anything…LOL
Haha! Yes, Lisa. It’s def a sign and you should start using anchovy ASAP ;). As for getting to know the neighbors, I too am afraid that I’ll have nothing in common with them as most of them have children and we don’t. But I wouldn’t know until I actually spend time with them so I’m going to do just that :). Waving is great. With a smile even better hehe.
Yummy, this salad looks awesome! I have never heard of that book before, but I am going to have to check it out. We love salads around here and it sounds so fun!
As for the other book, I think I need to get that too. I am so bad about reaching out (another shy one over here!) and don’t know most of our neighbors that don’t go to our church 🙁
Hi Laura! Yes you must check out both of the books. You won’t regret it ;). Yes, I am super nervous to meet our neighbors but excited at the same time! It’s time to get out of my comfort zone..
I love green goddess dressing, but the vegan versions are pretty tasty (plus cholesterol-free) due to the ingredient tahini. I think I posted something similar to that, if you look it up: cilantro tahini dressing or I will post it in the next comment. Nice to meet another asian blogger (or couple, hehe).
Here is the link to my vegan cilantro-tahini dressing: https://veganmiam.com/recipes/cilantro-tahini-dressing, you will love it and won’t realize it’s vegan! 🙂
Hi Rika! Thank you so much for the link. A fantastic recipe, indeed! Can’t wait to try. And yes, it is lovely to meet another Asian blogging couple
Caught you on Marvelous Mondays – how could I pass up the recipe to my all time favorite dressing as a kid?!?! Thank you so much!
Hi Kelli! It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for stopping by!
thanks for sharing…this looks so divine. so going to pin this. Found this on All My Bloggy Friends…have a great day.
Hi Karen! Thank you for stopping by ;). Hope you like this recipe as much as I do!
I remember bottled green goddess dressing as a kid..this look sooo much better 🙂 It’s a beautiful salad and your pictures are awesome! I would like to invite you my weekly linky party Share Your Stuff Tuesdays
Hope you can join us!
HI Erin! Thank you for stopping by and for the invite. I’m heading over there right now 😉
Beautiful post! And wonderful salad – it looks so good. Substituting Greek yogurt for mayo is something I do too. Visiting from All My Bloggy Friends link party.
Thank you, Marie, for stopping by!
Your salad looks so delicious!Salads are my favorites during the summer months!
I would love you to come and link up at our party here:
https://placeofmytaste.blogspot.com/2013/08/work-it-wednesday-link-party-guest-host.html
Thank you for stopping by and for the invite! 🙂
God bless you Min. This is a lovely post. I was full of inspiration before I even reached the dressing recipe. I pray you are met with acceptance and someone takes time to share dinner with you and hungryman. Remember, God can shine through shyness without you saying a word! I’m stopping by from the POFH Monday Pin It Hop. Thanks for joining in. I’m co-hosting this month. Let’s all keep loving our neighbors.
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Thank you so much, Tammy, for this lovely comment! Loved your post about craving God and am so glad we connected!