Pecan Crunch Salad With Hazelnut Vinaigrette Recipes

Steps:

• In a small saucepan heat 2 teaspoons olive oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and cook shallots, stirring, until golden brown. Stir in cranberries, 3 tablespoons vinegar, water, and sugar and simmer mixture, stirring occasionally, until syrupy, about 4 minutes. Transfer mixture to a bowl and cool to room temperature.
• In a small skillet heat 1 teaspoon olive oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and cook hazelnuts with salt and pepper to taste, stirring, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer nuts to a plate and cool.
• In a small bowl whisk together mustard and remaining tablespoon vinegar with salt and pepper to taste. In a stream whisk in hazelnut oil and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil until emulsified.
• In a large bowl toss greens with just enough dressing to coat and divide among 6 plates. Sprinkle salads with cranberry mixture and hazelnuts. Serve salad with soup as a main course or align as a first course.

Steps:

• Divide greens evenly onto 4 salad plates; top with cabbage and cheese. Arrange tomato wedges and avocado over greens.
• Pour oil to depth of 1/2 inch in a skillet and heat to 350 degrees. Fry tortilla strips in hot oil until crisp, about 1 minute. Drain on paper towels.
• Drizzle salads with Pecan Vinaigrette and top with tortilla strips.
• For dressing, process first 5 ingredients and if desired, sherry, in a blender until smooth. Turn blender on high and add olive oil gradually in a slow, steady stream until thickened. Stir in the pecans.

Steps:

• Put all the pecan cruch ingredients into a small frypan over medium heat. Cook until sugar just caramelizes. Place on foil to cool. When cool put in a baggie to break up.
• Mix all the ingredients for the vinegarette in a blender. I use a hand blender.
• Toss greens with cheese, add vinegarette to taste. Sprinkle top of salad with the pecan crunch.