Recipe created by Cristina Ferrare
This salad can be served as an appetizer or at the end of the dinner for a lovely ending to a great meal.
Servings: Serves 4–6
Ingredients
Salad and Dressing:
- 1/2 cup chopped and toasted walnuts
- 2 heads butter lettuce , rinsed and spun dry, then placed back into the refrigerator to keep the leaves cold
- 1 Tbsp. shallots , finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 4 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
Garnish:
- 1 cup feta cheese , crumbled
- Pomegranate seeds to sprinkle on top of the salad (if pomegranates are not in season, you can use dried cranberries or cherries)
- 2 Tbsp. Italian parsley , finely chopped
Directions
Toast the walnuts by placing them in a small, dry frying pan. Turn the heat to medium, toss and shake back and forth until the walnuts have browned and released their fragrant oils, about 4 to 5 minutes. You will be able to smell the aroma. Be careful not to burn the walnuts or they will end up tasting rancid. Place in a small bowl and set aside.
Place the butter lettuce in a salad bowl.
In a small bowl, add the shallots, Dijon mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, rice wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar and whisk together well until all of the ingredients are emulsified.
Sprinkle salt over the lettuce, then pour 5 tablespoons of the dressing over the lettuce and gently toss. Taste, and if you feel the salad is too dry and needs more dressing, add 1 tablespoon at a time.
Evenly distribute the lettuce among 4 to 6 plates and garnish with feta cheese, pomegranate seeds, parsley and walnuts. Serve with a piece of crusty sour dough baguette that you have warmed in the oven at 350° for 5 minutes. Serve immediately.
Place the butter lettuce in a salad bowl.
In a small bowl, add the shallots, Dijon mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, rice wine vinegar and apple cider vinegar and whisk together well until all of the ingredients are emulsified.
Sprinkle salt over the lettuce, then pour 5 tablespoons of the dressing over the lettuce and gently toss. Taste, and if you feel the salad is too dry and needs more dressing, add 1 tablespoon at a time.
Evenly distribute the lettuce among 4 to 6 plates and garnish with feta cheese, pomegranate seeds, parsley and walnuts. Serve with a piece of crusty sour dough baguette that you have warmed in the oven at 350° for 5 minutes. Serve immediately.
Published 01/20/2010
