Monday, 08 August 2011
That's right. Triple A. AAA. However you want to spell it out, this is a beautiful and delicious salad, anchored by my favorite green...arugula! I love it's fabulous peppery quality That's the first "A", then we will add sweet red Apples and ripe and creamy Avocado. But the fun doesn't stop there kiddies. We'll add some mango for color and a nice punch of tropical sweetness along with candied pecans for some crunch and bleu cheese crumbles for a little sour and tang. The dressing is lime juice, olive oil and red wine vinegar with a hint of cilantro. We're sort of going to fly by the seat of our pants since I really don't have a recipe. Let's say this is for four people.
1 container or bag of arugula (your going to use about four handfuls)
2 red apples (diced, leave skin on for color and nutrients)
1 cubed avocado (you want it ripe but firm enough so the cubes don't get mushed up)
2 mangos (peeled and diced)
1/2 to 3/4 cup of crumbled candied pecans
1/2 to 3/4 cup of Danish bleu cheese or gorgonzola (which is stronger....you could substitute feta or goat cheese as well for a milder cheese)
Get everything together in large bowl so there is room to GENTLY toss your salad (toss your salad has so many conotations doesn't it!?) with the following vinaigrette...
Add the juice of two limes to a blender, a pinch of kosher salt and nice whirl of fresh ground pepper, add about 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar, add 2 teaspoons of finely chopped cilantro and blend together. Then slowly drizzle in the olive oil, about 1/3 cup. Add to salad, toss. Be careful not to overdress the salad! Serve on chilled plates. Great with a Sauvignon Blanc or cold Stella Artois or my favorite non alcoholic summer beverage, raspberry lemonade. Perfect for this weekend picnic or dinner party. Or if you're like me, make it just for yourself! Happy August everyone! Stay cool!
