Autumn Salad With Aged Sherry Vinaigrette Recipes

AGED SHERRY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, whip eggs until slightly frothy. Slowly whisk oil into eggs in a slow steady stream until emulsified. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Keep refrigerated until ready to use. Serve over mesclun greens.

SEASONAL COUNTRY SALAD WITH SPICED WALNUTS

Steps:

• Make the spiced walnuts:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, stir together the sugar, spices, and salt. Toast the walnuts lightly on a sheet pan in the oven, for about 4-5 minutes. While the nuts are toasting, heat the spiced sugar in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. When the sugar just begins to melt around the edges, toss in the warm nuts, straight from the oven. Shake the pan vigorously over the burner until all the nuts are coated in sugar - it will cling in somewhat uneven patches, but that is the effect I like. Pour the nuts onto a plate or baking sheet to cool - don't be tempted to try one until they have really cooled down, since sugar at this temperature will give you a burned tongue to remember!
• Make your salad:
• Toss the salad greens with the spiced walnuts and the vinaigrette and top with a generous slice of ham and 1 ounce of cheese per person, according to the seasons (see Weighing Your Options).
• Weighing your options:
• Spring: Grilled Asparagus with Serrano Ham and Maytag Blue Cheese (to grill asparagus, blanch the asparagus to halfway tender, brush with a little olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and grill until lightly brown)
• Summer: Fresh Black Mission Figs with Smithfield Ham and Aged Goat Cheese
• Fall: Lightly Roasted Seckel Pears with Pecorino Romano and Prosciutto
• Winter: Blood Oranges and Fennel with Feta and Prosciutto

GARDEN SALAD WITH HERBS AND SOUR-CHERRY DRESSING

Steps:

• Stir together vinegar, lemon juice, a large pinch of salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Whisk in oil. Stir in cherries; let stand at least 5 minutes and up to 30 minutes.
• Finely chop fennel fronds; mix with herbs. Toss greens with herb mixture. Gently mix in onions, radishes, and sliced fennel; add dressing and cherries, tossing to combine. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

ARUGULA, GRAPE, AND ALMOND SALAD WITH SABA VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Finely chop 7 grapes; transfer to a small bowl. Cut remaining grapes in half; transfer to another small bowl and set aside. Using a fork, mash chopped grapes in bowl into a purée. Stir in shallot, 1 tablespoon Sherry vinegar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and let sit for 5 minutes. Whisk in oil and 1 tablespoon saba. Season vinaigrette to taste with salt, pepper, and more Sherry vinegar, if desired. DO AHEAD: Vinaigrette and halved grapes can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover and chill vinaigrette and grapes separately. Bring vinaigrette to room temperature and rewhisk before continuing.
• Combine arugula and halved grapes in a large bowl; drizzle with vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper. Toss salad to coat. Arrange salad on chilled dinner plates, dividing evenly. Scatter cheese and almonds over. Drizzle salads with more saba.

AUTUMN SALAD WITH WALNUT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• To make the vinaigrette (which can be made in advance and refrigerated until needed), combine the walnuts, orange juice, mustard, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, salt and pepper in a food processor. Begin processing and add olive oil slowly until well blended.
• Combine salad ingredients and toss with vinaigrette.