Mixed Green Salad with Pecans, Goat Cheese, and Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
PREP TIME: 15 mins
COOK TIME: 20 mins
TOTAL TIME: 35 mins
If making in advance for a party, do not add the dressing until you are ready to serve. The recipe makes more salad dressing than is required for the salad.
Pecans
4 oz
|
ounces whole pecans
|
1 tbsp
|
butter, melted |
1 tbsp
|
sugar |
Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
3/4 cup
|
extra virgin olive oil
|
1/4 cup
|
balsamic vinegar
|
2 tbsp
|
honey mustard
|
1 clove |
garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon)
|
1/4 tsp |
red pepper flakes
|
|
Salt and pepper, to taste
|
Salad
1 lb
|
mixed salad greens, including fresh baby spinach
|
4 oz
|
goat cheese
|
1/4 cup
|
sweetened dried cranberries
|
1 clove |
garlic, minced (about 1 teaspoon) |
1/4 tsp |
red pepper flakes |
1 |
red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into 1- to 2-inch thin slices |
DIRECTIONS
Toast the pecans
Preheat oven to 300°F. Put the pecans in a bowl, sprinkle the melted butter over them, and toss until they are all well coated with butter. Then sprinkle the pecans with sugar and gently toss again until they are lightly coated.
Line a baking sheet with Silpat or parchment paper and spread the coated pecans out over it in a single layer.
Bake in the 300°F oven for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit until cool enough to touch.
Make the dressing
Place the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey mustard, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes in a jar, cover and shake until the dressing is well mixed. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Toss the salad
Place the salad greens and spinach 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. |