I am really, really excited about this salad. It’s perfect, seriously. It has the savory from the goat cheese, a bite from the red onion and the creaminess of the avocado. It’s simple – yet so complex – and in unison, delicious.
Folks, this salad is a simple elegance. It’s wonderful as an appetizer and beautiful as an entree. Feel free to add a protein as well: shrimp, chicken, salmon; no discrimination. A light, effortless dish. This recipe will make enough for two – so adjust as necessary.
Salad Recipe:
- 6 oz. mixed spinach and arugula
- 1/2 of an English cucumber, sliced and quartered
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh goat cheese
- 6 oz. fresh raspberries
- 1 avocado
- Slivered almonds (optional)
Red Wine-Dijon Vinaigrette Recipe
Let’s begin, I can’t wait. Fill your plate with as much greens as desired.
Then, slice your English cucumber and quarter it; and here’s the kicker – don’t worry about peeling the skin. Being wrapped in plastic, no need to peel this beauty. Next, thinly slice your red onion. Sprinkle the above atop your salad and add your raspberries. Yummm. Just wait. Only for a few minutes, I promise.
So you see this masterpiece coming together. But I know what you’re thinking: goat cheese necessary. And you’re right. Crumble your tablespoon or so of soft, savory goat cheese and add to your salad.
We have reserved our gorgeous, ripe avocado until the very end – so it’s perfectly green (and prevents any browning).
So, let’s slice our gorgeous avocado in half. Remove the core. Thinly slice each half of the avocado for your salads and scoop out / plate with your spoon.
Drizzle your Red Wine-Dijon Vinaigrette and indulge in this breathtakingly simple dish!
But wait! There’s more. I hope you don’t think I’d fail you now. In the spirit of wine (and really, who isn’t in the spirit of wine), let’s pair this mastery of a dish with a wonderful wine. Nostalgic of my sous chef, let’s go with our fail-safe. One of the first wines I ever shared with Drew – the 2012 Kendall Jackson Vinter’s Reserve Chardonnnay. You can’t go wrong with this beautiful salad!
Yum, enjoy!
Cheryl Witman says
Sounds wonderful and the salad dressing is versatile and easy! I’ll make a note to remember that one too!