Classic Mixed Greens Salad

Mixed greens are the base for 1001 salads. This one uses Walnuts goat or blue cheese and Honey mustard vinaigrette to make it unique.

You may also decide to just use the walnuts raw, and/or switch the cranberries for pears.

Yield:
Serves 8
Category:
Salads and Dressings
Cuisine:
American

INGREDIENTS:

  • 4 ounces walnuts or pecans, whole
  • 1 Tbsp melted butter
  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • 2 Tbsp honey mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 3/4 cup olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 lb mixed salad greens
  • 4 ounces goat cheese or blue cheese
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries, or alternately, one cup of pears, thinly sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into 1-2 inch thin slices (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

  1. 1 Heat oven to 300°F. Place walnuts/pecans in a bowl, pour melted butter over them, sprinkle with sugar, and gently toss until the pecans are all well coated with a dusting of sugar. Place them in a single layer on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool to touch.

    2 Whisk together the honey mustard, garlic, red pepper flakes, and balsamic vinegar in a medium sized bowl. Slowly drizzle the oil into the mixture, whisking constantly until completely incorporated. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

    3 Place mixed greens in a large bowl. Add the goat cheese, dried cranberries, red bell pepper, and pecans. Toss with 1/4 cup of the dressing. Serve immediately. Chill remaining dressing.

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