The Hill Country has many similarities to the Provence region in southern France.  That’s how our wine industry came about.  Hill country folks traveling in France began to see the similarities of climate and soil conditions in the wine-growing regions of southern France and the Texas Hill Country.  Same with our new and growing lavender industry - same climate and soil conditions here as in the lavender-producing regions in Provence..  The classic French herb mixture, called “Herbs de Provence”, which no French cook would be without, is comprised of herbs that grow prolifically in both Provence and the Hill Country – rosemary, thyme, lavender, basil, marjoram, and savory.  We love the combination in the Hill Country too, so we packaged up our own Fredericksburg Farms Herbs of Provence Bread Dipping Mix.  Among many other uses, it’s great in this tasty vinaigrette dressing.

To Serve 4.

Mixed red leaf and romaine lettuce
Cucumber slices
Pitted Kalamata olives
Capers, well drained
Thin-sliced red onions
Crumbled Feta cheese, or use crumbled blue cheese

Vinaigrette:
(Makes about ½ cup.)

1 heaping tablespoon chopped yellow onion
1 heaping teaspoon Fredericksburg Farms Dusseldorf Mustard
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
½ teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt, or to taste
1 tablespoon honey
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Fredericksburg Farms Herbs of Provence Bread Dipping mix
1 teaspoon Fredericksburg Farms Sweet Mango Pepper Sauce
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Begin by making the dressing.  Combine all ingredients except olive oil in work bowl of food processor fitted with steel blade.  Process until smooth and well blended.  With machine running, add the olive oil in a slow, steady stream through the feed tube until all has been added.  Process a few additional seconds to form a strong emulsion.  Refrigerate dressing until ready to serve.   

Assemble the salad by placing a portion of the mixed lettuces on individual salad plates.  Arrange cucumber slices, olives, capers, and onions on each salad as desired.  Drizzle some of the dressing over each salad and top with a scattering or feta or blue cheese.