Summer Home

ome H SUMMER

MAGAZINE

Supplement to the July 23, 2020 Perham Focus and Wadena Pioneer Journal

RUSTIC, MODERN MARVEL

Blended styles make Vergas lake home one-of-a-kind SOCIAL DISTANCING HOME DESIGN TRENDS DEER CREEK GRAIN BIN GETS A MAJOR MAKEOVER GREAT SPACES: MUST-HAVES FOR THE HOME GYM AND OFFICE

We look forward to making your real estate dreams come true!

Contact Jeff Nardello, Broker, Zoe Zuhlsdorf, Realtor or Dominique Browne, Realtor 405 Ash Ave Nw Suite 2 Wadena, MN 218-430-0355 premierrealtygroupmn.com

ome H SUMMER

MAGAZINE

4

MODERN, RUSTIC, FARMHOUSE

A blend of styles and the use of reclaimed materials help make this Vergas lake home a one-of-a-kind family gathering place

7 GREAT SPACES 10 SOCIAL DISTANCING HOME Home office & home gym must-haves

DESIGN TRENDS

Creating comfort and safety in the COVID era

IN THIS ISSUE: 12

PREPARE NOW, GET FEWER PESTS LATER

Establish winter habitats for backyard animals

Contributors: Rosalin Alcoser ralcoser@perhamfocus.com Michael Johnson mjohnson@wadenapj.com Editor: Marie Johnson mtjohnson@dlnewspapers.com Publisher: Melissa Swenson mswenson@dlnewspapers.com Graphic artist: Chris Johnson cjohnson@bemidjipioneer.com

14 GAZEB-OH!

Deer Creek grain bin transformed into farm-style outdoor lounge space

17 PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR THE NEXT NATURAL DISASTER

Make your new home disaster-proof, with ICFs

18 BUILDING A BACKYARD RETAINING WALL 19 HOW LOW CAN YOU MOW 20 SIMPLE, SAVORY ANTIPASTI SALAD A feat of physics and engineering

Keep lawns a little longer to prevent problems

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‘Modern, rustic, farmhouse’

Photos courtesy Amanda Schultz The Ruhland lake home near Vergas is a blend of modern and rustic farmhouse design.

A blend of styles and the use of reclaimed materials help make this Vergas lake home a one-of-a-kind family gathering place

Energy-efficient windows provide a beautiful view of the surrounding lake country in the Ruhland lake home.

BY ROSALIN ALCOSER Summer Home

Craig and Jess Ruhland lake home, built in 2016 near Vergas, is a “modern, rustic, farmhouse blend of styles,” says Kelli Wegscheid, the home’s architect and owner of Harmonious Architecture in Perham. “It’s a fabulous lake house that the owners wanted to create not only for their family, but also for their extended family.”

“My wife and I were trying to create a really great place where our family could all gather,” says Craig Ruhland.

The house was featured in the 2019 Lakes Area Home Tour, put on by the 549 Foundation, and is energy efficient, uses reclaimed materials from the Ruhlands’ family farms in North Dakota and southern Minnesota, and is a beautiful and fun place for family gatherings.

“It has SIPs, which is structural insulated paneling,” Wegscheid says. “It’s a piece of insulation between plywood, so it’s like a foam panel that they’re using instead of walls and ceiling, which is like super insulation.”

The house also has an in-floor heating system and 4 | Summer Home 2020

It’s a fabulous lake house.

-Kelli Wegscheid, architect

A modern, open concept floor plan allows the Ruhland family to be together in one space, without feeling cramped.

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energy-efficient windows. All of the windows provide a beautiful view of the lake.

“Between those three items — the super insulation in the roof, in-floor heat, and the really great windows — those three things make it really energy-efficient,” says Wegscheid.

“It allows you to regulate the indoor temperature with less energy.”

During the tour, one of people’s favorite features was the bunk room, a basement bedroom with six built-in twin beds.

“Each twin bed has a light, a USB plug-in and a regular plugin,” Wegscheid says, adding that there’s also a drawer under each bed, a large farm sink in the room, and a sliding barn door.

The barn door in the bunk room is one of three such doors in the house; the other two are in the mudroom and the master bedroom (for the closet).

Some of the house’s exterior metal and interior wood is reclaimed, according to Wegscheid: “It’s a lot of reclaimed or upcycled material.”

“We used a bunch of old galvanized steel that was on the exterior and roof of some existing pole barns that were on my family farm,” Ruhland says, adding that the wood they reclaimed came from his wife’s family’s farm.

The house is an open-concept floor plan, Wegscheid says: “The kitchen is right in the middle but it’s very open to the great room and the patio.”

It is also designed to be main level living, “so as the owners age, they can age in place for a long time,” she adds. That way everything the Ruhlands need is on the upper level, and everything for their guests is in the lower level, with the bunk room.

Ruhland says the home’s blend of modern and rustic farmhouse design has made for a fun family gathering place.

Three sliding barn doors add to the rustic farmhouse feel of the house.

6 | Summer Home 2020

Exposed rustic ceiling beams are featured throughout the house, in the great room, dining room and covered deck.

The basement bunkroom features six built-in beds with with their own drawers, lights, USB plug-ins and regular plug-ins.

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Summer Home 2020 | 7

Great Spaces ...for getting your work done COVID-19 has caused many working professionals to suddenly need an office in their homes — and the kitchen table doesn’t always cut it. Following are some home office must-haves that can help employees be more productive while working from home.

Shutterstock image Home office capabilities are a big priority in 2020. Designing these spaces can be fun and easy.

Lighting

Lighting is important in a home office. It’s easy to overlook natural light, especially for workers who previously worked in offices that did not have windows. But natural light can help save on energy costs and boost mood.

In fact, natural light is a valued commodity for people used to working in office settings. A 2018 survey of more than 1,600 workers conducted by the human resources advisory firm Future Workplace found that access to natural light and views of the outdoors were the most sought after attribute of 8 | Summer Home 2020

a workplace environment. In addition, 47 percent of workers surveyed admitted they felt tired or very tired from the absence of natural light or a window at their office.

When designing their home offices, homeowners should keep this in mind and choose areas of their homes that get ample natural light during a typical workday. Additional lighting also will be necessary. Recessed lighting can give an office a sleek look, and lights that can dim can allow workers to adjust their lighting based on how much they need at any given point in the workday.

Quiet

Professionals forced to work at home when social distancing measures were implemented may not have had much quiet, especially for those with young children whose schools were closed. But when designing a home office, homeowners have the chance to make their offices more conducive to concentration.

Soundproofing walls may not be necessary, but look for areas of the home that don’t get much foot traffic. Kitchens are very popular rooms in many homes, so try to locate your home office away from the kitchen. A spare bedroom upstairs may make for the most ideal home office setting if the home does not have a traditional den. Spare bedrooms come with doors, which can instantly create a sense of quiet when closed.

A converted garage also can make for a useful home office,

but make sure the room already has cooling and heating and, ideally, windows.

Electrical outlets Recently built homes tend to be equipped with enough outlets to accommodate our increasingly connected lifestyles.

But older homes may need some electrical updates before they can capably accommodate home offices. When updating your electrical, replace existing outlets and fixtures with energy-efficient LED fixtures, which save money and benefit the environment. Before updating the electrical, decide on how you want the office to be laid out so you can have outlets installed where your computer, devices and other items, like a printer and television, will be. This makes it easy to hide cords and give the office a clean, professional look.

...and for getting your workout in With most gyms and other group fitness businesses still closed or offering limited services in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, building a home fitness room has never been a more timely project.

Such a project can continue to provide rewards even when life returns to some semblance of normalcy. Here’s how to successfully stock a home gym. ► Find a dedicated space. A home gym will be limited by the amount of space that can be devoted to workouts. Possible locations include a spare bedroom, garage, basement, or an enclosed patio. Measure the space so you can pick and choose equipment that will fit. Leave some floor space empty for movement exercises or mat activities. ► Keep the space bright. Darkness can sap energy levels, so invest in mirrors and adequate overhead lighting to make the space inviting. Natural light can make the exercise area more enjoyable. ► Consider the flooring. New flooring can protect against damage and make an area more conductive to working out.

Rubber mats can offset echoes and reduce the noise of running on a treadmill or setting down heavy weights. ► Use space-saving equipment. A home gym space will likely not be as expansive as the space inside a traditional fitness center. Thankfully, many activities do not require a lot of space or equipment. Classic exercises like squats, lunges, push ups, and sit ups require little gear but still produce results. Figure out which equipment you like the most and invest in two or three key pieces. Dumbells of various weights, a medicine ball and a yoga mat can be all you need to create a versatile, effective workout. A TRX system and a door-mounted pull-up bar also are great space-saving options. ► Have a TV hookup. A home gym may benefit from a smart TV that you can use to stream workout videos or catch up on the latest news while running the treadmill or using the stationary bike.

Summer Home 2020 | 9

Creating comfort and safety in the COVID era Home design trends are evolving for social distancing

File Photos (Above) Features that increase self-reliance, such as solar panels, are becoming very popular in home design.

(Left) From healthier living spaces to home offices, designers are responding to COVID-19 with safety and practicality in mind.

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► Houses over apartments: Many people who live in condos or apartments do so to be closer to the action — work, entertainment and shops — and never planned on spending much time at home. But the pandemic has changed that, and more people are now wanting a home that offers plenty of room and outdoor space in case they need to self-isolate again. ► Self-sufficiency: A hard lesson we’ve learned is that things and services we thought we could count on aren’t necessarily a sure thing, so items that increase self-reliance are becoming very popular. Expect to see more homes with sources of energy like solar panels, sources of heat like fireplaces and stoves, and even urban and indoor gardens that allow you to grow your own produce. ► Outdoor living: Between playgrounds closing and parks becoming overcrowded, many of us are turning to our balconies, patios and backyards for fresh air and nature.

This means we’re investing more in our outdoor spaces, with functional kitchens, soothing water features, cozy fire pits, and high-quality outdoor furniture to create a much-needed escape. ► Healthier spaces: Thanks to spending more time indoors and reprioritizing our health, we’re turning to design to help ensure our homes are safe and healthy for our families.

There’s been a rise in products like water filtration systems as well as materials that improve indoor air quality. For new homes and additions, alternatives to wood-framing, like insulated concrete forms, which offer improved ventilation for healthier indoor air quality and an environment that’s less susceptible to mold, are key. ► Home office space: Business experts are suggesting many companies will see that working from home is not only possible but offers tangible benefits, like saving money

As working from home becomes a necessity for more people, home offices are becoming a more popular feature of home design.

on office space rent. With working from home on the rise, creating a home office space that inspires productivity will be a major project many of us tackle. Luxury home office furniture that feels chic and blends into your decor, as well as ergonomic chairs and desks, will see a major boost. ► Custom and quality: With the hit to the economy, people are going to be buying less, but what they do buy will be better quality, while at the same time making an effort to support American businesses. When it comes to design, trends will shift to locally made furniture, custom-built homes and pieces and materials that stand the test of time.

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Prepare now,

get fewer pests later

Establish winter habitats for backyard animals When animals struggle to find adequate shelter and food over the winter, there’s a better likelihood that they’ll take up residence inside a human home, becoming pests in the process.

Bats, field mice and even opossums and raccoons may move indoors into attics or basements, leaving behind waste and damage if they can’t find what they need outdoors.

Homeowners concerned about potential pest infestations can take steps to ensure animals have places to bed down and escape the cold in their yards this winter. These tips also help local wildlife when the temperatures dip. ► Leave parts of the yard wild. Animals can make a nest in leaves or piles of brushwood. Just make sure piles left out are away from the home so curious critters don’t try to get inside.

Leave the task of tidying up shrubs and garden borders until spring, as shrubs can be dense areas to hide for both insects and animals. ► Consider planting animal food sources prior to winter.

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will grow in colder months and animals can enjoy them as a vital food staple. ► Don’t forget water sources. Provide access to fresh water and replace as needed if the water freezes. For homeowners with fish ponds in their backyards, use a hot pot to melt a hole in the top of the pond and allow gases that have accumulated underneath to escape. This allows oxygen to reach fish and frogs in the pond. ► Leave bird, squirrel or bat houses in the yard. These provide safe places for local wildlife to shelter in winter.

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Gazeb- OH! Grain bin transformed into cool outdoor lounge area

Rebecca Mitchell / Summer Home David Snyder, left, and Brad Cantleberry have largely finished converting Cantleberry's grain bin into a gazebo, where outdoor enjoyment will ensue.

BY REBECCA MITCHELL Summer Home

“‘You know what? We should turn that into a gazebo. What are you doing tomorrow?’”

Brad Cantleberry recalls his friend and neighbor, David Snyder, asking him that one day this past May. The next day, their grain bin transformation project began.

A longtime fixture of Cantleberry’s farm property in Deer Creek, the grain bin was lacking a purpose, but not a history. Cantleberry is unsure exactly when the grain bin was built, but the farm’s deed goes back to 1887, and original buildings are still on the property.

Repurposing the grain bin, he said, is both a tribune to the property’s past as well as a useful benefit for the future.

“It’s something that was a part of the history of this farm, and now, instead of just walking by it and not really appreciating it … it’s something we can use and enjoy,” Cantleberry said. “ It really changes the landscape of the yard, too. It really makes you look at it a little differently.”

Cantleberry said the grain bin’s cement flooring was and still is in good condition, and that, along with its front yard location and smaller size, made it a perfect candidate for the grain bin gazebo trend. Grain bins are often positioned behind pastures or other work areas, which is

14 | Summer Home 2020

Photo courtesy of Dana Cantleberry The grain bin, as it appeared before the redo.

Photo courtesy of Dana Cantleberry Snyder, left, and Cantleberry remove metal pieces that surrounded the grain bin.

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less ideal, according to Snyder and Cantleberry.

“We have a couple (grain bins) in our yard and I’ve always thought about doing it, and Brad and Dana just have a picturesque place to do it,” Snyder said. “When we were sitting here, it looked like the ticket.”

Since buying the property from Brent and Jenny Roller in 2015, Brad and Dana Cantleberry had considered a variety of fun projects for their grain bin. Sunday, May 17, was the day a plan finally took shape, after a socially distanced visit from David and Julia Snyder the day prior.

David and Brad brought their tools together the next morning, early, to remove the metal pieces around the bin.

“It’s fun helping neighbors,” Snyder said.

The Cenex logo on top of the grain bin, as well as repurposed metal pipes that originally brought water to the barn and now support the gazebo’s roof, give a nod to the farming community history of the structure.

Cantleberry said one of their biggest concerns with the remodel was whether the structure would withstand strong winds: “The wind we’ve had lately has put it to the test and it’s still standing,” he said. “It’s solid and it’s comfortable.”

For the remainder of the summer, Snyder expects the Cantleberry family to continue soaking in their yard time.

Cantleberry, too, knows the space will be well used.

“I know Brad and Dana will probably enjoy it,” Snyder said. “They enjoy their yard time, and Brad’s awesome at barbecuing. I can just see him using it and getting some enjoyment out of it.”

The project will come to a close soon, after dark-tinted screens and a door — maybe painted barn red — are added by the pair.

“With all the stuff that’s going on in this crazy world right now, it’s certainly a highlight for us, and just fun to have people that … want to come over and help,” Cantleberry said.

Photo courtesy of Dana Cantleberry The Cenex logo stands as a reminder of the farming history of the Cantleberry property.

It’s something that was a part of the history of this farm, and now, instead of just walking by it and not really appreciating it … it’s something we can use and enjoy.

-Brad Cantleberry

Rebecca Mitchell / Summer Home The front yard gazebo boasts a tree-lined view from a shaded area.

16 | Summer Home 2020

Make your new home disaster-proof, with ICFs Everyone wants their home to be a safe, comforting space that offers refuge and protection from the outside world.

The global pandemic has taught us this, as well as the importance of preparation — not just for illness — but also for natural disasters like fires, floods and tornadoes.

Making sure your house is a secure and resilient structure is critical no matter where you live, as severe weather events can happen anywhere. Fortunately, thanks to advances in design and innovative materials, building a stronger, disaster-proof home is possible.

An alternative to traditional wood-framing, insulated concrete forms, or ICFs, are an excellent option that many engineers and designers are turning to. The steelreinforced solid concrete cores range from four to 12 inches, providing far superior strength and safety compared to

wood. Non-toxic, fire-retardant expanded polystyrene foam provides a fire protection rating of up to four hours.

Homes built with these ICFs are proven to survive natural disasters — houses that faced Hurricane Michael in Florida and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans are still standing. ICFs even offer wind resistance of up to 250 mph, equivalent to an F4 tornado.

Homes that use ICF construction have other added benefits, including enhanced insulation for lower energy bills, a reduced carbon footprint, and improved ventilation for better indoor air quality and lower susceptibility to mold.

Concrete forms also require less maintenance over time, saving you the expense and effort of continuous upkeep and providing additional peace of mind.

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A feat of physics and

engineering File Photo Retaining walls are aesthetically pleasing and serve a variety of purposes, but building one is no small feat -- it takes planning and careful execution to ensure the job is done right.

Building a backyard retaining wall Retaining walls help turn steep slopes in a yard into terraced focal points. They can reduce soil erosion in hilly areas, and can be used for aesthetic purposes or to create more usable space within the yard.

When an inground pool or pond is cut into a backyard hill, a retaining wall helps keep the remaining portion of that hill from collapsing into the cut-away area.

When contemplating retaining wall projects, a lesson in physics and engineering may be needed. A sturdy and longlasting retaining wall needs to be built in a way that will take into consideration the force of the soil and the point at which the soil will begin to slide away, advise the experts at The Family Handyman.

If these calculations seem beyond the scope of your ability, installation of a retaining wall is best left to a professional.

If you are ready to forge ahead, these tips can get you started. However, it’s still best to work with someone who has already built a retaining wall. ► Safety first: Call to have underground utilities plotted and marked before beginning any excavation. ► Map out your trench and begin to dig. The trench should have a level, compacted base as it will be the foundation for which the retaining wall materials, be they blocks, bricks or wood, sit in. A crushed stone base will help anchor the courses and serve to promote drainage.

18 | Summer Home 2020

The Family Handyman says to bury the first course of the retaining wall one-tenth the height of the wall to prevent soil behind it from pushing the bottom out. ► Check for level. When placing blocks or timbers, make sure they are even with the first and periodically check for level as you go, advises the home improvement retailer Lowes. ► Stagger and set back. The next row of blocks or material should be positioned so that the joints are staggered for blocks, bricks or wood. A masonry blade will be needed to cut the harder materials; a circular saw will cut timber. Also, work against gravity by setting the second course slightly back from the first to help push back against the soil that is trying so hard to push forward. Repeat the process as each level is placed. Many retaining wall products are made with a lip to create this set back. ► Go with the grade. For especially steep slopes, a gradual step-up design may be more secure and more appealing than a very tall retaining wall. Each level of a stepped design should be done like the first. ► Backfill with stone for drainage. Using a layer of stone behind the retaining wall can help successfully direct water away so it will not increase the weight of the soil behind the wall and push against the retaining wall, advises The Home Depot.

How low can you mow?

Keep lawns a little longer to prevent problems People who don’t enjoy mowing their lawns may be tempted to cut their grass very low, as that means longer intervals between mowing sessions. However, mowing too low can have a very adverse effect on a lawn. ► Cutting too low can injure the grass. Injuring the grass creates a domino effect of problems to come. Injured grass will focus on its recovery efforts, thereby making it vulnerable to other issues. ► Cutting too low promotes weed growth. Injured grass is vulnerable to invaders, including weeds and insects.

Weeds and insects can attack grass as it recovers from injury, and before homeowners know it, their lawns are overcome with a host of problems.

► Cutting too low allows crabgrass to thrive.

Crabgrass needs ample sunlight to grow. By cutting grass too low, homeowners may unknowingly be promoting crabgrass growth. Crabgrass is unsightly and can rob surrounding grass of the moisture it needs to grow. So lawns cut too low may not only lose their lush appeal thanks to the unattractive appearance of crabgrass, but also because areas surrounding crabgrass patches might turn brown due to lack of water. ► Cutting too low can stress the grass. Cutting too low also makes lawns vulnerable to summer heat. Without blades tall enough to block some of the summer sun, grass can quickly succumb to summer heat, leading to dried out, discolored lawns.

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Don’t feel like cooking?

Try this simple and savory Antipasti Salad

Sarah Nasello / Forum News Service Antipasti Salad features crisp romaine lettuce combined with a colorful medley of cured meats, cheese, vegetables and a tangy Oregano Vinaigrette.

BY SARAH NASELLO

chopped with a sharp knife into sections that are about 1 inch wide to produce bite-sized pieces. It is a good idea to rinse and dry fresh lettuce, especially when purchased by the head, I love the Italian tradition of antipasto — the first and a salad spinner is a terrific kitchen tool to ensure that the course of a traditional Italian meal that features a variety of lettuce dries quickly. specialties like cured meats, cheese and vegetables.

For the meats, I buy a 7-ounce stick of Genoa salami and This savory Antipasti Salad combines two courses in one for a quick and easy meal or side dish when you just don’t feel like cut half of it into rounds about ¼-inch thick, and then cut each round into quarters. You could buy pre-cut salami if you cooking on a hot summer’s night. prefer, but I like the thick slices that a stick allows, especially Featuring crispy romaine lettuce with Genoa salami, in contrast to the strips of ultra-thin prosciutto that are also prosciutto, mozzarella pearls, roasted red peppers, artichoke in this salad. hearts, cherry tomatoes, red onions and mixed olives, this I chose mozzarella pearls for this dish, which are bite-sized simple summer salad only requires a bit of chopping before little balls of fresh mozzarella cheese, but you could also use it’s ready to assemble and serve. marinated mozzarella balls, or buy a log and slice the cheese We often serve it with a simple dressing of extra-virgin to whatever size you prefer. The soft, tender mildness of fresh olive oil and red wine vinaigrette, but for this occasion I’ve mozzarella complements the flavorful meats and vegetables, included a recipe for a tangy Oregano Vinaigrette that is and fontina or feta cheeses would also work well. the perfect complement to the hearty Italian flavors of the Roasted red peppers are a pantry staple in our home, and cured meats. In addition to olive oil and red wine vinegar, the when I don’t have time to make them myself, I buy a jar of dressing is flavored with dried oregano flakes, garlic powder, red pepper flakes and seasoning, and can be prepared up to a roasted bell peppers produced by the Mezzetta brand, which are typically located in the pickle aisle. You can find artichoke week in advance of serving.

When Tony and I retired from our cruise careers and moved hearts in the vegetable aisle of most supermarkets, and either plain or marinated will work for this recipe. back to Fargo in 2000, finding specialty Italian items was Combining two courses into one, this fresh, crisp and really a challenge. Fortunately, our food scene has greatly hearty Antipasti Salad perfectly embodies the simplicity and improved since then, and you can now find high-quality — deliciousness of Italian cuisine. Buon Appetito! and good value — cured meats and cheeses at Costco and Sam’s Club, or even the Hornbacher’s Culinary Circle brand.

“Home with the Lost Italian” is a weekly column written by Sarah Nasello This recipe calls for two hearts of romaine lettuce, which are featuring recipes by her husband, Tony Nasello. The couple owned Sarello’s in Forum News Service Columnist

Moorhead. Readers can reach them at sarahnasello@gmail.com.

20 | Summer Home 2020

Sarah Nasello / Forum News Service Cured meats, olives and cheese are staples on a traditional Italian antipasti platter. Featured here (from left) is Genoa salami, mixed olives, prosciutto and mozzarella pearls.

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Antipasti Salad Serves: 4 to 6 Salad ingredients: 2 hearts romaine lettuce, chopped into bite-sized pieces 3 ounces Genoa salami, cut into 1/4-inch rounds, then quartered or halved (about 1 cup) 3 ounces prosciutto, chopped into bite-sized pieces 1 cup mozzarella pearls or cubes 1 cup mixed olives 1 cup roasted red peppers, chopped 1 cup artichoke hearts, marinated or plain, chopped into pieces 1 cup (about 15) cherry tomatoes, halved ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced Garnish ingredients: 2 teaspoons fresh basil, chopped 5 to 6 pepperoncini peppers, whole Oregano Vinaigrette ingredients: ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar ½ teaspoon dried oregano flakes ¼ teaspoon garlic powder Pinch crushed red pepper flakes ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper 22 | Summer Home 2020

Directions: Prepare the oregano vinaigrette first to allow flavors to combine. In a small bowl or jar, add all the ingredients and whisk or shake vigorously until the dressing is fully combined and emulsified; taste and adjust seasoning and flavors as desired. Set aside at room temperature until the salad is assembled.

The dressing may be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

To assemble the salad, in a large bowl, add the chopped romaine lettuce and then place all the remaining salad ingredients on top. Pour all the oregano vinaigrette over the top of the salad and use tongs to gently toss until the ingredients appear evenly distributed.

To serve, transfer salad to a serving platter or plates and garnish with the chopped basil and whole pepperoncini.

Leftovers may be stored in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.

Summer Home 2020 | 23

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