Monday, March 12, 2012
Serving Up {Salad}: Cranberry Avocado Salad
I love avocados! When I stumbled across this recipe it was titled "Cranberry Avocado Salad" and I truthfully assumed that it was an avocado salad. I was super excited. When I prepared the salad, and realized that it was a green salad topped with avocado's I was a little disappointed but got over it by doubling the avocado's called for to increase my avocado to green salad ratio. (The original recipe calls for two avocados, I used four when I made it the first time, I listed three for the recipe below - and I increased the craisens a bit). Since then I have made this salad a number of times and one time I made it without salad greens completely - just avocado, craisens and nuts topped with the delicious white balsamic poppy seed dressing. Greens or not, I promise that this salad (and dressing) will have you licking your lips.
CRANBERRY AVOCADO SALAD PinIt
(recipe from The Cafe Sucre Farine)
printable version
Dressing:
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 Tbs. poppy seeds
1 1/2 Tbs. sesame seeds
1/2 tsp. paprika
2 tsp. dried mustard
1 Tbs. onion, minced
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup white balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salad:
12 ounces salad greens (baby spinach, arugula, field greens)
1 small bunch cilantro, washed and dried, leaves removed whole from stems
2-3 medium avocados, peeled and thinly sliced or chopped
1 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup preferred nut (candied almonds or pecans)
For the dressing, combine all ingredients in a pint sized glass jar and shake well to dissolve sugar.
For the salad, place greens and cilantro leaves in a large bowl. Add avocado and dried cranberries and about 1/4 cup of the dressing and toss gently. Scatter candied almonds over salad and sprinkle lightly with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pass extra dressing at the table.
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Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried? What do you think about adding chunks of fresh oranges?
ReplyDeleteI think that fresh cranberries and orange would be a terrific flavor - and what a beautiful holiday salad!
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I find fresh cranberries to be more tart than their craisen counterparts, so it would be a personal preference.
I decided to stick with the dried cranberries like you used, but I did add the oranges. And, I used toasted walnuts instead of the candied almonds or pecans. The salad was beautiful and delicious! I especially loved the dressing. Thank you so much for the recipe.
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