Christmas Salad

I first ate this beautiful salad at a women's Christmas brunch at church & I was blown away. It was like a bruschetta, served on toasted baguettes..

Yummo. The combo of avocado, orange, pomegranate, cilantro..amazing flavor & a totally beautiful sight. 

This Christmas, I made a salad version for our family Christmas dinner & it was a keeper for sure.... 

First, begin with...

Orange vinaigrette: 

3T olive oil

1T Juice from an orange

3/4 t dijon

1 tsp honey

Kosher salt (good pinch)

Fresh cracked pepper

Next, prepare the other ingredients to toss in...

2 heads of Romaine lettuce

1 pomegranate, slice in half. Hammer back of pomegranate to drop seeds out. Be careful of bright, staining juice. Rinse seeds.

2 Avocados, diced

1/3 Cilantro bundle, chopped

1-2 Cutie Clementines, peeled & diced, 1/2 mixed into vinaigrette

1 small block of Gouda (4 oz.), diced. Any other mild, creamy, white cheese will do too.

Toss just minutes before...and enjoy! 

Balsamic Dressing

serving 8

 

I love to make my balsamic dressing with 2 parts oil to 1 part vinegar. You whisk it in a bowl, make it in a blender, mini chopper or shake in a jar. 

4 Tb Olive Oil

2 Tb Balsamic Vinegar

1 Tb Honey

1 (heeping) tsp Dijon Mustard

1 Garlic clove

Salt & Pepper 

Cut garlic clove in half & rub the bottom & sides of the bowl you're serving the salad.

Add the vinegar, honey & mustard to the bowl & whisk vigorously. Slowly add the oil & whisk vigorously as the dressing emulsifies.  

Add mixed greens to the dressing & toss 

Topped with freshly crumbled blue cheese, red onion slices (rinsed in cold water takes away the fire in raw onion) sliced apples, toasted almonds...And across the top, hit it with a little more fresh cracked pepper & kosher salt.