January 22, 2009

Easy Winter Salad

I'm not a very big fan of salads as main courses, so when I have them they are usually served on the side of the main attraction or as a starter. This leads me to have some problems with most of the salad recipes out there. You see, there are salads that are ridiculously simple and lack any imagination (or flavor really), and then there are salads that have so much stuff in them that you will be full by the time you are done. 

This is the exact predicament I found myself in when I was planning our little dinner last week. I finally decided to throw together some of the ingredients I thought would go well and dress the salad with one of my all-time favorite dressings. What came together was the perfect salad for a cold night. It's very flavorful but won't leave you too full. I know this isn't much of a recipe, but so many people seem to be on the lookout for tasty salads I thought I would share.


Easy Winter Salad

Toasted Walnuts
Parmesan Curls
Pear, medium diced or sliced
Pre-Washed Mixed Greens
Salt and Pepper
Ina's Vinaigrette (recipe below)

Combine all ingredients, except for dressing, in a bowl. Toss with desired amount of salad dressing right before serving.


1/2 cup Olive Oil
1 tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
1/4 teaspoon Honey
1 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Pepper
1 tablespoon minced Shallot

Place all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk together, or shake to combine in a salad dressing carafe. Dress salad just before serving.

13 comments:

Maria said...

I love salads! This one is so elegant! Looks fantastic!

Foodiewife said...

kudos to you for not using bottled salad dressing! This is one of my all-time favorite salads, too. Simple, delicious and easy. Great photos, too!

Abbie said...

I like the dressing recipe. Yummy :)

Dewi said...

Love love love, the vinaigrette. Addition of pear to the salad is also delicious.
Cheers,
Elra

kickpleat said...

i love salads like this! throw in some beets or apple slices and it would be super yum.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Your salad looks yummy. I did a similar one with walnuts and a nut oil vinaigrette, but I like your addition of pears and Parmesan cheese. And someone who loves Ina. You're a hit in my book.
Sam

Foodie with Little Thyme! said...

Oh we love salad. Have one every night!

Lori said...

The salads look so delicious and fresh. I love the recipes you have on your blog. Especially that baked potato soup. . yum!

Meg said...

What a wonderful vinaigrette recipe.

Culinary Wannabe said...

Hi Maria - Lucky girl, liking salad!

Hi Debby - Thanks! This was way better than the bottle.

Hi Abbie - Thank-you!

Hi Elra - I love pears and they really made it feel wintery.

Hi Kickpleat - Oh beats would be sooo good!

Hi Carolina - Isn't Ina the greatest??

Hi Foodie - You are a lot healthier than I am! :)

Hi Lori - Thanks so much! The baked potato soup was a real hit around this house. Potatoes and cheese are always a winning combo.

Hi Meg - Thanks!!

Emily said...

This is my favorite type of salad, I think. I just can't get over how delicious pear is in a salad.
Looks wonderful.

Stacey Snacks said...

I love this salad, I make a similar one, and Ina's vinaigrette is so easy and good!

Salad Chic said...

Love the salad!! looks so easy and tasty. and great blog! If you decide to make another salad, you should def check out my site!(www.dailysalads.blogspot.com)