Mesclun Salad Recipes

Mesclun Salad Recipes

 

Classic Mesclun Dressing

Combine in a glass jar with a lid 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons best quality balsamic vinegar and 5 tablespoons best quality fruity olive oil. Add 1/2 teaspoon prepared Dijon mustard, a pinch of salt and 6 or 7 generous grinds of fresh black pepper. Put on the jar lid and shake well. The mustard will serve to emulsify the vinegar and oil. Shake again and pour sparingly over the salad at the table and toss. If you want to dress it up a bit, sprinkle over some toasted pine nuts and chopped fresh chives and parsley.

 

Mesclun Salad with Goat Cheese and Balsamic Vinaigrette

  • 2 heaping cups (1″-cube) sourdough bread
  • 3⁄4 cup plus 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1⁄4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp. dijon mustard
  • 12 lightly packed cups mesclun greens
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • 1⁄2 cup pecan halves, toasted
  • 2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • 4 oz. goat cheese, chilled

Heat oven to 350°. Toss bread cubes with 1 tbsp. of the oil in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Arrange bread cubes on a baking sheet and bake until crisp and golden brown, 12–14 minutes. Let cool.

Roughly chop garlic; sprinkle with a little salt. Using the side of a knife, scrape garlic into a paste; transfer to a bowl. Add vinegar and mustard; whisk to combine. Slowly drizzle in remaining oil while whisking constantly to form a smooth vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Combine croutons, mesclun, cranberries, pecans, and thyme in a bowl. Add some of the dressing; toss well to combine. (Reserve remaining dressing for another use.) Crumble goat cheese over salad and divide between plates.

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