This past Saturday, I had ten ladies over for a brunch.  First, I like brunches because I have time to clean up my house before guests arrive.  WIth two kids and a huge dog, morning clean time is a must.  Second, I like brunches because I don't have to eat breakfast foods.  Never been my thing.  And the most important reason I like brunches is that I can serve mimosas and Bellinis.  Just yum!  Food is so not important when I'm enjoying a crisp, summery drink.  Now, mimosas and Bellinis are supposed have champagne.  Have you looked at the price of champagne lately?  It just wasn't happening.  I used a cava instead.  I really like cava because it has a bit of that Spanish zing - Riojas drinkers, you know what I'm talking about. 

I first learned about cava about six years ago when I was looking for something to serve with a salad (as a first course).  The wine expert at the store held up her finger and said, "I have just the thing!" My favorite is Cristalino Extra Dry.  It's won the Wine and Spirit  Value Brand of the Year three times now.  If you want to start with something light, this is your bubbly.  I also like it mixed with OJ because its already fruit.

Here's the salad I made to go along with our drinks.  Let  me know if it works out for you, too.

Melon and Turkey Salad

Dressing:

3 T fresh-squeezed lemon juice
2 T oil
1 T water
1/2 T Dijon mustard
1 t red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper

Salad:
1 small honeydew, seeded and thinly sliced into bite-size bits
1/2 package (or more) spring mix
20 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 sliced smoked turkey meat, sliced into bite-size bits (can use chicken or ham instead)

Assemble salad, add dressing and enjoy!