Spring Millet Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing

Spring Millet Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing ⎮ happy hearted kitchenSpring Millet Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing ⎮ happy hearted kitchenSpring Millet Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing ⎮ happy hearted kitchenSpring Millet Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing ⎮ happy hearted kitchen

I’m sitting here in the laundromat waiting for my clothes to dry, nibbling on a cracker that is hardly nutritious or sustaining but it was one of the few things left in the cupboard to grab before I ran out the door. It was Matt’s last day at work today and when he got home I hugged him so tight, we both exploded into fits of laughter and then I crumbled into tears. It’s here. It’s really happening. We’re taking off at the end of the week. Extreme emotions have been pretty common these last few days. I am filled with anxiety and nerves and stress, but also so damn excited about what’s to come, sometimes not quite sure how to hold it all in.

My parents left yesterday after a weeks long stay next door and I can’t even begin to put into words how much their visit meant to me. I threw so much food at them I wouldn’t be surprised if they left here a few pounds heavier, but it felt right to be able to feed them. It’s just a small way of doing something for them after all they’ve done for me. We ate well, of course, but if my mom and I are together you can be sure that  there will be some chocolate in the house.

The house. Our house, it is a complete and total disaster right now. I wandered around from room to room today not really knowing where to start, accomplishing little tasks here and there but making no real evidence of progress. I guess it always get a little messier before it gets better. I’m feeling a little anxious about letting it all go. Letting go of our life here, of your home we’ve built together and of all that comes with it. The comfort and the familiarity of our day to day lives. But I know that there is so much more out there for us once I do; adventure. joy. freedom.

Ok, I’m not sure if any of this made sense and my clothes are almost dry and I’m seriously hoping Matt has found something suitable for dinner to settle my grumbling tummy, but I just wanted to squeeze in one last post before we take off. This will be the final post from my little french kitchen. Three years and so many memories in this space, we’ve come a long way together. The next few days will be busy with packing and organizing and cleaning out the freezer, so much to do in what feels like so little time but I know it will all get done. The next time you see me I will be cooking in an entirely different kind of kitchen, rocking what I can only imagine to be the worst tan lines and keeping my feet happy in some stylish tevas. So until then, friends – be well. xo

Spring Millet Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing ⎮ happy hearted kitchenSpring Millet Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing ⎮ happy hearted kitchenSpring Millet Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing ⎮ happy hearted kitchenSpring Millet Salad with Creamy Dill Dressing ⎮ happy hearted kitchen


SPRING MILLET SALAD WITH CREAMY DILL DRESSING

This is basically what we have been eating ever since radishes first appeared at the market this spring. A bowl loaded with spring goodness. Sometimes I add greens, but we’ve been doing a lot of picnic-ing lately so I held off here. I did throw in some fennel though, for extra crunch. The addition of some butter lettuce or massaged kale turns this into a nice side salad. I swap between a few dressings, the one below or something more like this. Always with lots of lemon. I imagine an avocado based dressing would be nice here as well. Don’t skimp out on the herbs. Quantities are vague but it is just a salad, add what you feel is to your liking.

Vegan + Gluten Free. Serves 2-4.

Ingredients

Salad

1 cup millet
1 bulb fennel, thinly sliced
Large handful fresh pea pods, peas remove and rinsed
1 bunch pink radishes, thinly sliced
2 spring onions, white and green parts thinly sliced
1 + cups fresh herbs (dill, mint, chives, etc.)
Lemon zest

Dressing

1/3 cup sunflower seeds, soaked overnight
1/2 cup packed fresh dill
Juice + zest one lemon
1 clove garlic, optional
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil|
1/3 cup water, as needed, to thin
Salt + Pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the millet. Rinse and drain the millet then toast in a small pot over medium until fragrant and toasty, about 2-3 minutes, then add 2 cups water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer until water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, let sit  for a few minutes, then fluff with a fork. Let cool.

To make the dressing, place all ingredients except for water in a small high speed blend and blend until smooth, adding water as needed for desired consistency.

Toss cooled millet with sliced fennel, peas, radishes, spring onions and herbs. Add in a big scoop of dressing, toss to coat and combine. Add more as needed. Finish with a little olive oil and fresh lemon zest.

Will keep in the fridge for a day or two in a sealed container.


Let me in on your kitchen creations – tag your photos #happyheartedkitchen and share the love!

18 Comments

  • Reply
    Sus @Rough Measures
    April 27, 2015 at 11:38 am

    This sounds (as always) utterly delicious. Comfort food in salad form. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, wishing you all the luck and fun for your adventure. Hope those legs keep their steam and you see amazing sights. I’ll be thinking of you both on your bikes, camped around little stoves, over the next few months. Absolutely gutted that you’re going to be so far away now. You’ve achieved such great things in your time in the Alps, a inspiration to us all Jodi! All the love, and happy travel wishes to you both. Thanks for being awesome, never stop dreaming! Love youuuuuu xxxxxxx

    • Reply
      Jodi Kay
      April 28, 2015 at 2:22 pm

      Oh I love you too, Sus! I can’t thank you enough for your kind words, that mean more to me than you will know. Know that you are welcome with open arms any time you want in Canada! Keep on doing your thing too, love see you what your up! Big big hugs xo

  • Reply
    Warm Vanilla Sugar
    April 27, 2015 at 12:16 pm

    Such a pretty salad! This is perfect for Spring.

    • Reply
      Jodi Kay
      April 28, 2015 at 2:23 pm

      Thank you, Katrina! xo

  • Reply
    Kathryn
    April 27, 2015 at 2:15 pm

    Happy happy adventuring. I’m sure you’re going to have the most amazing trip of a lifetime and I can’t wait to hear all about it.

    • Reply
      Jodi Kay
      April 28, 2015 at 2:24 pm

      Thanks Kathryn! Whoop whoop! xo

  • Reply
    Jessie Snyder | Faring Well
    April 28, 2015 at 12:28 am

    Oh Jodi, I’m going to miss you! But I’m so excited to reconnect later and hear all of your stories. Have just the best time ever and SOAK IT UP for me okay?! You and your man are going to have the best time. Way to end on a gorgeous note on your blog too (as if it was possible to do anything but..?!) This is just screaming spring. Praying you guys have safe travels and a ton of random, awesome, unexpected adventures <3 HAVE SO MUCH FUN!

    • Reply
      Jodi Kay
      April 28, 2015 at 2:26 pm

      Thank you for keeping us in your heart, Jessie. Will soak everything up for you I promise. Have a wonderful summer yourself! You have so much on the horizon too, I am so excited to see what you’ve been up to all summer! Keep on doing your fabulous thing – a bientot! bisous xo

  • Reply
    Anna
    April 30, 2015 at 11:04 am

    This looks insanely good and nutritious!!! love it

    https://aspoonfulofnature.wordpress.com/

  • Reply
    Kale & Caramel
    May 1, 2015 at 4:51 pm

    I absolutely adore adore adore millet! Something about that miraculous, nutty flavor is just gorgeous. Plus lemon and dill? Gimme. YUM!

    Have the most incredibly adventure, Jodi! Enjoy every second.

  • Reply
    Cookie and Kate
    May 5, 2015 at 5:26 am

    Hope you are having the best time on your adventure! I’m so glad to have found your blog. It’s just lovely, as is this millet salad. I want more dill in my life!

    • Reply
      Jodi Kay
      May 16, 2015 at 6:53 am

      Kate! Thank you so much! I’m so darn happy to have you here, cookie + kate has been an inspiration to me! Our little adventure is going so far so great, hope you are having a wonderful spring filled with dill! x

  • Reply
    Sarah | Well and Full
    May 14, 2015 at 2:15 am

    Hey Jodi! I just stumbled upon your blog and I absolutely LOVE the vibes you have going on here!! Hiking, adventures, plant-based recipes, minimal indoor lighting?? Life twins!! Also I think it’s super cool how you’re an expat living in France – I was a French minor in college and studied abroad there for a summer. Although my program was in Toulouse, I was fortunate enough to have hiked to the Chateau de Montségur and in la Grotte de Niaux (holla for 14,000 year old cave paintings!).
    I hope you have a wonderful time on your adventure in the Alps, be safe! And please post photos when you get back, I’ll be checking :) :)

    • Reply
      Jodi Kay
      May 16, 2015 at 6:51 am

      Hi Sarah! Thank you so much, what a comment to make me smile! I was actually just in Toulouse, only a little stop over on our way to the cost though! Im hoping to get a few post up while were away, but it might be more difficult than I thought. So now im really looking forward to reconnecting once we get back! Have a wonderful summer! xx

  • Reply
    genevieve @ gratitude and gree
    May 21, 2015 at 2:47 am

    So I realize that it’s been nearly a month since you posted this, but I know how it must feel to leave a place where you’ve created so many memories. I was so sad when I had to leave the lovely flat (with an equally lovely kitchen) that I shared with my boyfriend in the UK, but at the same time I was excited for new beginnings and all the things to come. I hope you are off having fun adventures and creating more memories- by the looks of Instagram it seems like you are ;)

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