michael-in-phoenix
Well-known member
I received a request for a casual Italian dinner for family and friends (about 25 people) this Christmas Eve, and I served this delicious salad that we've had many times. So often, the "side salad" goes uneaten, but not this one!
Served several appetizers, Tortellini Soup, House Bread, Manicotti and Italian Beef Sliders, along with this salad. Nothing fancy at all, very basic comfort-food, served buffet-style.
A good time was had by all... Thanks Pat!
***************
Pat's notes: My notes and adjustments are in parentheses. I also really like to add crumbled blue cheese or gorgonzola and fresh avocado chopped.
Cranberry Walnut Salad
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp. minced shallot
1 tsp. minced garlic (or a little less)
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 cup olive oil (original recipe called for 1 cup)
1/2 cup lightly toasted chopped walnuts, or pecans
1/2 cup dried cranberries
salad greens to serve 8, about 1 bag mesclun mix (OR sometimes I use hearts of romaine lettuce)
Gently swish salad greens in cold water put through a salad spinner and into a salad bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and put into refrigerator. Put first seven ingredients into a small bowl and stir. Just before serving, add olive oil to above ingredients and emulsify (I used a wire whisk to incorporate oil well). Toss salad greens with cranberries, nuts, and dressing and serve. (Toss greens with a small amount of dressing, adding more as needed, being careful not to add too much.) Can also put dressing in a zip lock bag, open a corner and let the dressing pour out slowly as someone else mixes the greens. Any leftover dressing goes into the refrigerator and if none is left, the ziplock bag is simply tossed out.......nothing to wash.
Source: Karen/NoCal from Dacor Appliance chef's demonstration
Cranberry Walnut Salad to serve 32
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup soy sauce
4 tsp. minced shallot
4 tsp. minced garlic
4 tsp. Dijon mustard
2 cups olive oil (original recipe called for 4 cups)
2 cups lightly toasted chopped walnuts, or pecans
2 cups dried cranberries
salad greens to serve 32, about 4 bags mesclun mix
Served several appetizers, Tortellini Soup, House Bread, Manicotti and Italian Beef Sliders, along with this salad. Nothing fancy at all, very basic comfort-food, served buffet-style.
A good time was had by all... Thanks Pat!
***************
Pat's notes: My notes and adjustments are in parentheses. I also really like to add crumbled blue cheese or gorgonzola and fresh avocado chopped.
Cranberry Walnut Salad
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp. minced shallot
1 tsp. minced garlic (or a little less)
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 cup olive oil (original recipe called for 1 cup)
1/2 cup lightly toasted chopped walnuts, or pecans
1/2 cup dried cranberries
salad greens to serve 8, about 1 bag mesclun mix (OR sometimes I use hearts of romaine lettuce)
Gently swish salad greens in cold water put through a salad spinner and into a salad bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and put into refrigerator. Put first seven ingredients into a small bowl and stir. Just before serving, add olive oil to above ingredients and emulsify (I used a wire whisk to incorporate oil well). Toss salad greens with cranberries, nuts, and dressing and serve. (Toss greens with a small amount of dressing, adding more as needed, being careful not to add too much.) Can also put dressing in a zip lock bag, open a corner and let the dressing pour out slowly as someone else mixes the greens. Any leftover dressing goes into the refrigerator and if none is left, the ziplock bag is simply tossed out.......nothing to wash.
Source: Karen/NoCal from Dacor Appliance chef's demonstration
Cranberry Walnut Salad to serve 32
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup soy sauce
4 tsp. minced shallot
4 tsp. minced garlic
4 tsp. Dijon mustard
2 cups olive oil (original recipe called for 4 cups)
2 cups lightly toasted chopped walnuts, or pecans
2 cups dried cranberries
salad greens to serve 32, about 4 bags mesclun mix