A favorite salad
“Later Samuel and Adam walked down the oak-shadowed road to the entrance of the draw where they could look out at the Salinas Valley. Will you stay to dinner? Adam asked.”
East of Eden, John Steinbeck
Inspiration
Need another salad recipe? I promise this one is worth sharing, it’s become a favorite. This salad has it all– crunchy, sweet, tangy, salty, smooth and bitter. I find myself making it several times a month. Two of us pretty much eat the entire bowl. Sometimes there is enough left for my lunch the next day. Besides, I wouldn’t want anyone to think I live on sweets!
In making the salad I prefer a ratio of 3/4 lettuces and 1/4 radicchio. For the full range of flavors and textures I use the three R’s: romaine, red leaf and radicchio. Crisp, soft and spicy make the foundation of this salad. If radicchio is not a favorite this will be the salad that changes your mind. The bitter superfood plays well with the salty ricotta salata and sweetness from the golden raisins. There are crunchy apple slices and meaty pecans too. Apple season is just beginning, pick a favorite for this irresistible salad.
Essentials
If anyone hates making dinner in a hurry when tired and hungry it would be me. Any or all of these salad components can be prepped ahead of time. Lettuces cleaned, pecans toasted, apple sliced, cheese grated, vinaigrette made. The lettuce, cheese and vinaigrette will keep in the refrigerator for several days. I’ve prepped the apple in the morning and used it the evening of the same day. I toast a big batch of pecans, chop and keep them in the pantry. Just doing a few items of prep makes me feel more organized and lightens the list of things to do at the end of a busy day.
If you live in Salinas, Star Market carries ricotta salata. Fresh, crisp radicchio can be hard to find but both Nob Hill and Star might have it in stock. And of course ricotta salata, fresh radicchio and Hunza raisins can be found at Whole Foods in Monterey.
| Vinaigrette | |
| 1/4C | champagne vinegar |
| 1/2C | fruity olive oil |
| 1t | French style mustard, such as Grey Poupon |
| 1/2t | fine grain sea salt |
| 1/4t | pepper |
| Three R Salad | |
| 1 | lemon |
| 1 | large apple, or 2 small |
| 2-3T | pecans |
| 2 | heads little gem lettuce or other crisp romaine |
| 1 | small head of red leaf lettuce or other curly leafed lettuce |
| 10 | large leaves of radicchio |
| 2-3T | golden raisins, such as Hunza. |
| 1/2C | grated or shaved ricotta salata |
- Juice the lemon and pour into a small bowl. Core and thinly slice the apple into the bowl with the lemon juice. Toss the apple slices to coat with lemon juice. Top the bowl with ice cubes and place in the refrigerator to keep the slices crisp.
- Pour the vinegar in a small bowl. Slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl while continually whisking to emulsify. Whisk in the mustard, salt and pepper. Alternately, put all the vinaigrette ingredients in a jar, seal and shake until the mustard is thoroughly mixed into the vinaigrette.
- Heat the oven to 350°. Spread the pecans across the surface of a sheet pan. Toast the pecans for 8-10 minutes. The pecans will become fragrant and turn a dark mahogany brown when done. Cool and then chop the pecans.
- Clean the lettuces and radicchio and tear into bite sized pieces and place in a large salad bowl. Alternately arrange the lettuce and radicchio leaves on plates to make individual salads. Add apple slices, pecans, raisins and ricotta. Drizzle or toss with dressing.
Love this mix for a salad! I have some apples from my CSA, and using them in a salad with pecans and ricotta salata sounds perfect.
Thank you Lisa! This salad has become a favorite.
I am always in the mood for another salad recipe – especially this one!
Thank you Lynda! A great salad is a wonderful thing!
what a gorgeous salad! leaves have never looked so beautiful!
Thank you Valentina!
Wait, you mean you really don’t live off of sweets, Deb? Ha! Just kidding–this salad recipe is really great. I’m definitely of the tired-not-cooking camp, so this is SO perfect for me! Hoping your heat wave leaves soon!
Oh I would love to live on sweets! But my body would be ultra large and super sluggish… I say eat lots of salad with fresh veggies and eat dessert once in awhile! Thank you for commenting Ala!
Love the selection of greens for this salad – different textures and flavors. And then it just keeps getting better and better. Pecans and apples are always a great addition to a salad, but I never think of adding golden raisins. Love it!
Thank you for the generous comment MJ!
I love a simple salad that hits every taste bud. Hope you’re having a wonderful holiday weekend, Deb!
Thank you Carol! We are enjoying the summer sunshine!
Beautiful, healthy, and perfect for both summer and fall!
Thank you Denise! This salad recipe eases us gently into fall. I’m having a difficult time realizing summer is almost gone!
What a delicious looking salad. I love salads and I always appreciate a new recipe. Thank you Deb!
Thank you for the gracious comment Gerlinde!
I so miss the fresh lettuce of the Salinas Valley! There’s really nothing else quite like it, as you know. What a lovely salad, the champagne vinaigrette is so enticing with the apples and pecans :).
Thank you Laura! We do love our salads!
Three R’s I can certainly get behind – perfect for these dog days of summer. Love the colours, flavour and texture combo. We are currently under a heatwave warning, so it has been salads and ice cream 24/7. 😉
Salads and ice cream is summer meal planning I can enjoy! Thanks Jacquee!