From the story: Gastronomic Destiny: The Fascinating Journey Of Food From Fields To Forks.
Indulge in the extraordinary flavors of this exquisite salad that effortlessly combines irresistible deliciousness with a nourishing blend of wholesome ingredients. Prepare to be captivated by the harmonious symphony of flavors that will leave your taste buds in awe. The incredible appeal of this salad extends even to the little ones, making it easy for them to eat their vegetables.
Garden Symphony: Beet, Avocado, Goat Cheese, and Walnut Ensemble on a Bed of Spring Mix
Servings 2
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 medium beet, precooked and peeled
- 1½ cups spring mix lettuce
- 1 to 2 ounces goat cheese
- 2 tablespoons raw walnuts
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground pepper
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ½ cup olive oil
- 5 to 8 baby cherry tomatoes
- ½ to 1 medium avocado
Instructions
Walnuts.
- Preheat oven to 400℉ (200℃)
- Place walnuts on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
- Roast the walnuts in the preheated oven for about 2 minutes, making sure not to burn them. The walnuts will continue to darken outside the oven, so remove them when they are light brown, not dark, and set them aside.
Salad Dressing Marinade.
- In a mug or bowl, combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, kosher salt, ground pepper, dried thyme, and dried basil. Mix gently with a fork.
Cooked Beet/s.
- Cut the beet/s into small to medium-sized pieces in your favorite shape (cubes, circles, half moons), and drop them into the salad dressing/marinade. Let them set for 15 to 30 minutes as they absorb the flavor of the dressing, adding another dimension to its taste -- as well as the beet/s enhancing the taste of the dressing.
Preparing lettuce and tomatoes.
- Rinse the spring mix lettuce and cherry tomatoes thoroughly, ensuring they are clean. Allow them to air dry or gently pat them dry using paper towels. Ideally, a salad spinner is recommended for washing and drying the lettuce, but if one is unavailable, the paper towel method will suffice. Make sure to remove any excess water from both the lettuce and tomatoes, as any remaining moisture can dilute the salad dressing.
- Cut washed and dried baby tomatoes in half and set aside.
Assembly.
- Place dried lettuce on plate.
- Arrange the tomato halves around the edge of the plate on top of the spring mix.
- Sprinkle on the roasted walnuts.
- Cut the goat cheese into bite-sized pieces and add them to the dish.
- Slice avocado and place it on top.
- Add the beets from the dressing, along with the dressing liquid, to the salad. Add as much of the liquid dressing over the salad as you prefer.
Notes
Serve and enjoy! Any leftover dressing can be stored in the refrigerator for two days.
