Fall Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette inspired by The Wizard's Butler #LitHappens

Crisp Romaine lettuce, dried cranberries, candied walnuts, apple slices and blue cheese dressed in a delightful Balsamic Vinaigrette.

I was inspired to make this salad after reading The Wizard's Butler......

I enjoyed this fun, quirky novel so much that I asked my Lit Happens group to read it as our September selection.  Our Lit Happens group is a bunch of people that love to read and decided to have a Facebook group where we could share our suggestions and talk about the books we are reading.  

Folks are welcome to join in if the book is of interest to them and they have the time.  There are no rules or regulations.  It is not limited to bloggers, though many of us became friends through the blogging community.  It also has no requirement to make or share recipes inspired by the books we read, however, many of us are foodies and find inspiration in everything we do.  Those that choose to can blog or cook or cook and blog.  

Whoever suggests the books posts discussion questions on the Facebook Page and the others can comment, discuss, share their thoughts.....or not.....it is a very easy going group.

This story, featuring Roger Mulligan, ex army paramedic and ex civilian emt, who takes a job as a butler for an elderly gentleman, Joseph Shackleford, who believes himself to be a wizard.  

Roger doesn't really care about Joseph's mental capacity as his duties only require that he keep Joseph alive for one year.  In payment for his services, Roger will receive 5 K per month and room and board.  Should Roger keep Joseph alive long enough for his family to place him into a nursing home in a year's time, he will get a 1 Million dollar bonus.

Roger doesn't plan on liking the job or loving the old man who, as it turns out, really is a wizard who is helped through life by other wizards as well as pixies and fairies.  

As part of his duties, Roger, has to prepare meals and starts looking up recipes and taking cooking classes.  One of the first things that Roger prepares is a Spring Salad with a Balsamic Vinaigrette that Roger is proud to have made, only needing to look at the recipe on his phone one time.

I decided to make a salad dressed with Balsamic Vinaigrette as well but since Fall is approaching I added some apples, walnuts, dried cranberries and blue cheese to my salad.

Balsamic Vinaigrette is made quite often around here.  One part Balsamic Vinegar to two parts Extra Virgin Olive Oil sweetened with some Maple Syrup or Honey and seasoned with salt and pepper.  Sometimes I add in minced garlic.  Sometimes I add in a little Dijon Mustard.  Put it in a mason jar, seal and shake until it emulsifies. 

If you don't use it all, it keeps well in the refrigerator but needs to come to room temperature and get another good shake before using the next time.  

I am sharing this review over at Foodies Read as well.  Stop by and see what the other Foodies are reading this month.  And stop by our Facebook Page, we would love to hear what you think of this novel if you decide to join us.