Spanish Radicchio Salad with Manchego

One of the best things about living in Portland was the amazing restaurants.  My favorite of which was probably Toro Bravo.  I think I ate there more than any other restaurant in Portland.  It’s a Spanish tapas type restaurant and I enjoyed it so much because most of the time the menu looked quite simple like “tomato rubbed toast” for example.  What came out was this ordinary looking toasty, crusty bread that looked as if tomato was nowhere to be found.  Only to take a bite that exploded with fresh-garden tomato taste.  Simple salads and dishes just popped because the quality of local, fresh, seasonal ingredients was phenomenal.  Simple food elevated by the fact that their ingredients were top notch.

If you’re in PDX, it’s worth the wait since they don’t take reservations (unless you have a large party).  My advice, go early, like when they open, and you won’t have to wait so long.  Definitely grab a pitcher of their sangria too.

This salad is my take on their radicchio salad.  Theirs was tossed with manchego cheese and topped with a green olive tapenade crostini.  This is my way of getting a little Toro Bravo in my life since I no longer live in PDX.

I’m gonna keep this one short, I’m feeling under the weather for sure.  During a quick trip to Colorado Springs to (finally!) meet the director of my dietetic internship I came down with the worst allergy attack/head cold/fever ever.  At the same time I got a FaceTime call from my brother who’s landed himself in the hospital!  Not sure what he has yet… possibly pneumonia or valley fever?  We’ll see.  Crazy.

At least it’s sunny and warm in Durango!  Too bad I’ll be inside most of the day on the couch.