Fig, Prosciutto, and Fresh Mozzarella Salad with a Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

I think this easy salad is a taste sensation. The combination of flavors and textures really makes it a delight to eat. The figs are sweet, the lettuce leaves are crunchy, the prosciutto is salty, the salad dressing is a bit tart, and the mozzarella is soft, mild, and seems to balance the salad.



Fig, Prosciutto, and Fresh Mozzarella Salad with a Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
Makes 2 Servings

Ingredients
4 ripe figs
1 bag of ready to use salad, or any mix of leaves you like in an appropriate portion for two
4 slices of prosciutto or other dry cured ham, cut into large pieces
Fresh mozzarella, cut into bite size pieces
3-4 tbsp olive oil (not extra virgin)
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp whole grain mustard
1/2 tsp garlic powder or one garlic clove, crushed
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp kosher or sea salt

Prepare the balsamic vinegar dressing. Combine the mustard, salt, pepper, garlic, and vinegar. With a whisk in one hand, and olive oil in the other, slowly emulsify the olive oil into the other ingredients by pouring it in slowly and whisking vigorously.

Assemble the salad. Cut a crisscross into the figs, without cutting all the way through. Squeeze the bottom of the fig a bit to expose the pink flesh inside. Place lettuce on the bottom of the bowl, and distribute the other ingredients on top. Just before serving, lightly dress the salad with the dressing. Alternatively, you can leave the dressing on the side so that people can choose the amount of dressing, if any, they'd like on their salad.

MAHIMAHI WITH CHARRED ONION, TOMATOES, AND TAPENADE VINAIGRETTE

SERVES4

• ACTIVE TIME:10 MIN
• START TO FINISH:25 MIN

• 1 medium red onion, cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick wedges
• 3/4 lb cherry tomatoes
• 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 4 (6-oz) skinless mahimahi fillets (1 inch thick)
• 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons black or green tapenade (olive paste)

• ACCOMPANIMENT:

  plain or parmesan couscous

• Preheat broiler and line a large shallow baking pan with foil.
• Toss onion and tomatoes with 3 tablespoons oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in lined baking pan, then spread evenly in one half of pan.
• Pat fish dry and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, then arrange, skinned side down and spaced apart, next to vegetables in other half of pan. Drizzle fish with 1 tablespoon oil and broil 4 to 6 inches from heat until vegetables are charred and slightly wilted and fish is just cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk together vinegar, tapenade, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil.
• Serve fish and vegetables over couscous. Stir pan juices into vinaigrette and drizzle on top.

Spring Green Salad with Orange-Fennel Vinaigrette

This was a nice, refreshing salad. A change from our typical croutons and balsamic salad.

Spring Green Salad with Orange-Fennel Vinaigrette

Makes 8 servings. Recipe from Epicurious.

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup fresh blood orange juice or fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons minced shallots
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons (packed) grated orange peel
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh fennel bulb
2 tablespoons chopped fennel fronds
3 blood oranges or seedless oranges
12 cups torn assorted salad greens (such as arugula, watercress, mâche, and endive) or 1 1/2 five-ounce bags mixed baby greens
1 cup chopped green onions
2/3 cup walnuts, toasted

DIRECTIONS
Whisk orange juice, shallots, thyme, orange peel, and honey in medium bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in oil, then fennel and fennel fronds. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Rewhisk before using.)

Cut peel and white pith from oranges. Working over bowl, cut between membranes to release orange segments from pith.

Combine assorted greens, green onions, and toasted walnuts in large bowl. Drain orange segments and add to salad. Toss salad with enough dressing to coat evenly. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

Lentil Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Take two on our lentil adventure. This one had a very good flavor, but not enough of it. Try tripling the recipe for the dressing with the same amount of lentils, maybe? We tripled the garlic anyway, but that’s not unusual for us. :) We lessened the parsley, added some fresh basil, and served it on a bed of baby spinach instead of the radicchio leaves (who can find those, anyway?)

Lentil Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Makes 4 servings. Recipe from Epicurious.

INGREDIENTS
1 1-inch-thick slice red onion plus 1 cup chopped red onion
3 fresh parsley sprigs plus 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup dried brown lentils
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
8 radicchio leaves or 1 bunch baby spinach

DIRECTIONS
Bring medium saucepan of water to boil. Add onion slice, 3 parsley sprigs and 1 minced garlic clove and bring to boil. Stir in lentils. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until lentils are just tender, about 20 minutes. Drain. Discard onion and parsley.

Stir oil, vinegar, mustard and remaining garlic in small saucepan over low heat until just warm (do not boil).

Place warm lentils in bowl. Add chopped onion, chopped parsley and warm vinaigrette; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon salad into radicchio leaves; place 2 leaves on each of 4 plates. Serve warm or at room temperature.