Sunday, August 1, 2010

Mosaic Monday: Another salad...

This one got raves. Big raves. They didn't ask, and I didn't say mayonnaise, because they're not huge fans of mayo. But in dressings it's usually ok. I wouldn't trick them or anything. They loved it. We're very big on salads here. Usually one before every dinner. It's very easy to get creative with a salad, although for all these years, when my mother makes one, it has always been the same exact salad. No deviation. No change. No Nothing. Iceberg or romaine, sometimes a little baby spinach mixed in, never an entire spinach salad, and usually only carrots, tomatoes and green olives. Occasionally marinated mushrooms. Bottled dressing. Italian, Catalina or Russian. It's good. but change is nice, too!  So I tend to get creative. Fruit, nuts, cabbage, mixed greens. Found this one at epicurious. Apple, Dried Cherry and Walnut Salad with Maple Dressing. I love maple syrup and I don't think we have ever had it in a salad. We will again, the dressing is delicious. and I'm thinking what else to use it on! Dipping sauce for chicken fingers, on a turkey sandwich. Have to make more of this stuff, it's great!



I used dried, sweet Bing cherries instead of tart, a Fuji apple instead of Granny Smith and I didn't realize the recipe said to toast the walnuts. That's par for the course. Didn't see that until I was done serving it. Not big deal. The original recipe called for two teaspoons of sugar. I omitted that completely. Sweet enough with just the maple syrup. This one is a great salad no matter what! Definitely a keeper.

To make the apple matchsticks, I used a Julienne Mandoline slicer. It surprised me how well it worked. I love the slicers, but I love my fingertips, too, and definitely had to be careful! It make nice sized matchsticks in about five seconds. I still have my finger tips. There was this one time though... 




 

Apple, Dried Cherry, and Walnut Salad with Maple Dressing
Source: Bon Appétit, September 2002 - original recipe by the Mountain Town Station Brewing Company and Steakhouse, Mount Pleasant, MI
Printable Recipe

For the Maple Dressing:
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
3 tablespoons Champagne vinegar or any white wine vinegar
1/2 cup canola oil

For Salad:
1 bag baby spinach (or any mixed greens)
2 Fuji apples, peeled, cored, cut into matchstick-size strips (use any apple you like)
1/2 cup dried cherries (tart or sweet)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted (or not!)

Note:
Keep some apple, walnuts and cherries on the side to sprinkle over the top of the salad when you serve!

For dressing:
Whisk mayonnaise, maple syrup, and vinegar in a medium bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in oil until mixture thickens slightly. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Or put all the dressing ingredients in a jar and shake it really, really well! (Dressing can be prepared 3 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Shake jar or whisk again before using.)

For salad:
Toss spinach, apples, cherries, and walnuts in large bowl to combine. Toss with enough dressing to coat. Divide salad equally among plates. Sprinkle with remaining apples, walnuts, cherries and then serve.




Joining Mary's Mosaic Monday. For more mosaic's stop by the Little Red House!


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29 comments:

  1. Maple dressing sounds perfect to dress up a fruit veggie salad.

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  2. Looks delicious and perfect for the hot summer.

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  3. This looks beautiful! My husband is not a mayo fan, sounds like there's hope he will like this salad.

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  4. That looks great. I love fruit in my salad. I'm interested in that julienne slicer. I have a different type from Pampered chef but I haven't quite got the hand of it. Like you said..I like my fingers too much.

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  5. Definitely trying that dressing, it sounds wonderful. I love adding different nuts and fruits to salad as well and this one sounds like a great combination.

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  6. Oh that does look wonderful. Go right ahead and trick your family into eating something delicious, fresh, and good for them.

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  7. I love to use Maple Syrup in cooking - so this will be a keeper. I'm your newest follower - I keep on finding things I like here.

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  8. I have to try the dressing. I love anything with maple in it..
    Thanks for visiting me today.

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  9. Oh, this sounds wonderful! I would never have thought of using maple syrup in a dressing! Now you can't get any better than glorious food for a mosaic!
    Thanks for popping in to see me.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  10. Salads are the order of the day for us in the summer heat. This sounds delicious. I'd like tp taste this dressing so will have to make it soon.

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  11. Can you say me why I really suddenly fell hungrey. Your salad sounds delicious and it is simple with its ingredients, thank you for inspiration!

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  12. I love salads and they are wonderful for this hot weather we are having. Your dressing sounds delicious.

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  13. that sounds like a delicious salad

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  14. I love Waldorf salad and your salad looks very similar so I'm sure I'd enjoy it! Adding maple syrup to the mayo sounds so good. That mandoline does look dangerous! It didn't coem wiutha finger guard? Be careful using it!

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  15. I love salad and since Martha Stewart once showed how easy it was to make salad dressing I have never gone back to bought. Your salad sounds just delicious.

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  16. What a wonderful-sounding salad and dressing, Carol! We eat lots of salads too and I'm happy to have a new one to add to the repertoire.

    My mother was not a creative salad-maker either!

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  17. Wow! that salad looks delicious.

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  18. Ooooh! Now this salad is right up my alley! I love salads when it is so hot outside. I hope you are having a great week!...hugs....Debbie

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  19. It looks so good ~ wish I could have it for supper tonight!

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  20. That is a nice dressing! Salads with baby spinach leaves are so tasty. We are having one tonight!

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  21. What a gorgeous salad. It's perfect for this time of year. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  22. Definitely not your mother's salad. Your salad looks awesome. Love it.

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  23. The salad looks delicious! I will have a double serving!

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  24. That sounds like a zippy salad!! After a salad like that you wouldn't need a entree... but with your growing family I don't think you would get away with it!

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  25. Oh yum - this sounds really good. Thanks for linking it in.

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome, Carole. I enjoy your weekly round-ups!

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