Lettuce-Less Harvest Salad
- Sep 7, 2016
- 2 min read
Well, she's arrived! September, that is. The air is still warm, but pumpkin spice is upon us. I'm still in summer salad mode, but for some reason, these ingredients remind me of fall.
And though I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to summer, there is so much to look forward to in the upcoming weeks (Restaurant openings! Pumpkin everything! Hot apple cider!). This salad included, which I'll definitely be enjoying more of over the next few months. Crisp, crunchy, sweet and savory, this dish is light and healthy enough to be called a salad, yet somehow doesn't feel like one. In the best way possible, of course. Good bye summer microgreens, hello hearty fall favorites.
you'll need... 1/2 cup of pecans 1/2 an English cucumber 1 Bosc pear, firm but just ripe 2 beets (steamed- I love Love Beets or Traders Joe's. So much less work!) 1/4 cup of dried cranberries 1/4 cup of crumbled blue cheese (feta would work nicely too)
to make...
Toast pecans for 3-4 minutes in a dry pan. You want them golden but not burnt. While they toast, spiralize the cucumber and pear (if you do not have a spiralizer you can slice or chop them up. To spiralize the pear, just cut off the ends and stick it in). Arrange in bowls like a little nest. Slice the beets and add to bowls. Top with pecans, cranberries, blue cheese and a simple maple Vinaigrette. Serves 2.
Maple Vinaigrette
Combine 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, a 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a small mason jar or spill proof container. Shake vigorously until well combined. Makes enough for 2 servings. Will keep for weeks in the fridge. Bring to room temperature before serving. PS: English cucumbers have smaller and fewer seeds which is why I generally prefer them over other varieties. If not eating this salad immediately or storing leftovers, place a paper towel beneath the ingredients to absorb moisture.
PPS: I'm really obsessed with these incredible bowls by Brooklyn ceramicist Suzanne Sullivan. You can find her stuff here, here and here.
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