Name: Favorite-Flavors Salad Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: International
Ingredients: 1 cup walnut pieces; 1 baking potato; ½ lb Roquefort; ¼ cup wine vinegar; ¾ tsp salt; ¼ tsp fresh-ground black pepper; ½ cup mild oil; 1 head romaine lettuce; 2 bunches watercress; 1 cup cocktail onions; 1 avocado; 1 pear

This favorite-flavors salad brings together a delightful medley of textures and tastes, making it a perfect dish for any occasion. The combination of creamy roquefort, crunchy walnuts, and fresh produce creates an irresistible flavor palette that will leave your taste buds dancing.

Photos of Favorite-Flavors Salad Recipe

If you don't typically stock roquefort, cocktail onions, or watercress in your kitchen, you may need to make a special trip to the supermarket. Roquefort is a tangy blue cheese that adds depth to the salad, cocktail onions offer a sweet and tangy crunch, and watercress brings a peppery note that complements the other ingredients.

Ingredients For Favorite-Flavors Salad Recipe

walnut pieces: Toasted to enhance their natural nuttiness and provide a crunchy texture.

baking potato: Boiled until tender, adding a hearty element to the salad.

roquefort: A rich, creamy blue cheese that adds a tangy flavor.

wine vinegar: Combined with the cheese to create the salad dressing.

salt: Enhances the flavors of the ingredients.

fresh-ground black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth of flavor.

mild oil: Used to create a balanced dressing.

romaine lettuce: Forms the base of the salad, providing a fresh crunch.

watercress: Adds a peppery flavor and bright green color.

cocktail onions: Small, sweet onions that add a unique texture and taste.

avocado: Provides a creamy element and healthy fats.

pear: Adds a sweet and juicy contrast to the other ingredients.

One reader, Camile Wilson says:

This salad is a delightful blend of flavors and textures! The creamy roquefort, crunchy walnuts, and fresh watercress create a perfect harmony. The avocado and pear add a lovely sweetness. It's a gourmet experience in every bite!

Camile Wilson

Techniques Required for Creating This Salad

How to toast nuts: Toast the nuts over moderately low heat in a small frying pan, stirring frequently until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Alternatively, toast them in a 350°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes. How to boil a potato: Put the potato in a medium pot of salted water, bring to a boil, and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside. How to make a vinaigrette: Combine one third of the blue cheese with the vinegar, salt, and pepper in a large glass or stainless-steel bowl. Mix thoroughly and then gradually whisk in the oil. How to toss a salad: Add the romaine to the dressing and toss to coat evenly.

How To Make Favorite-Flavors Salad

Tossed with toasted walnuts, lettuce, and fresh fruits, this salad recipe has all the flavors you’ll want in a meal. Plus, it takes just 30 minutes to make!

Preparation: 5 minutes

Cooking: 15 minutes

Total: 20 minutes

Serves:

Ingredients

1cupwalnut pieces
½lbbaking potato
½lbRoquefort,or other blue cheese
¼cupwine vinegar
¾tspsalt
¼tspfresh-ground black pepper
½cupmild oil
1¼lbromaine lettuce
20ozwatercress
1cupcocktail onions,drained
1avocado
1pear

Instructions

In a small frying pan, toast the nuts over moderately low heat, stirring frequently for about 5 minutes until golden brown.
Or toast them in a 350 degrees F oven for 5 to 10 minutes.
Put the potato in a medium pot of salted water
Bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, in a large glass or stainless-steel bowl, combine one-third of the blue cheese with vinegar, salt, and pepper.
Mix thoroughly and then gradually whisk in the oil. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the dressing.
Add the romaine to the rest of the dressing and toss. Transfer to a platter or salad bowl.
Toss the watercress with the reserved dressing.
Arrange the remaining blue cheese, the watercress, walnuts, potato, onions, avocado, and pear slices on top of the lettuce.

Nutrition

Calories: 667.39kcal
Fat: 53.36g
Saturated Fat: 14.20g
Trans Fat: 0.11g
Monounsaturated Fat: 27.14g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 10.15g
Carbohydrates: 33.29g
Fiber: 10.03g
Sugar: 8.92g
Protein: 20.22g
Cholesterol: 51.03mg
Sodium: 1342.09mg
Calcium: 621.84mg
Potassium: 1474.79mg
Iron: 3.02mg
Vitamin A: 1015.55µg
Vitamin C: 79.93mg

Helpful Technique for Crafting favorite-flavors salad recipe

To ensure your walnuts are perfectly toasted, keep a close eye on them as they can go from golden brown to burnt very quickly. Stir frequently and remove them from the heat just as they start to turn a rich, golden color. This will enhance their flavor and add a delightful crunch to your salad.

Time-Saving Tips for Preparing favorite-flavors salad recipe

Toast nuts in bulk: Toast walnut pieces in advance and store them in an airtight container to save time.

Pre-cook potatoes: Boil and store baking potatoes in the fridge for quick assembly.

Use pre-washed greens: Buy pre-washed romaine lettuce and watercress to skip washing and drying.

Ready-made dressing: Use a store-bought blue cheese dressing to save on mixing time.

Pre-slice ingredients: Slice avocado and pear ahead of time and store them with a bit of lemon juice to prevent browning.

Substitute Ingredients For Favorite-Flavors Salad Recipe

walnut pieces - Substitute with pecan pieces: Pecan pieces have a similar texture and slightly sweet flavor that complements salads well.
baking potato - Substitute with sweet potato: Sweet potatoes offer a different but pleasant sweetness and a similar starchy texture.
roquefort - Substitute with gorgonzola: Gorgonzola has a similar creamy texture and strong flavor, making it a good alternative to roquefort.
wine vinegar - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar provides a similar acidity and tanginess, suitable for salad dressings.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used in the same quantity and offers a slightly different mineral taste.
fresh-ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat but a slightly different flavor profile, which can add a unique twist.
mild oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil has a mild flavor and is a healthy alternative that works well in salads.
romaine lettuce - Substitute with butter lettuce: Butter lettuce has a similar crisp texture and mild flavor, making it a good substitute.
watercress - Substitute with arugula: Arugula has a peppery flavor that can add a similar bite to the salad as watercress.
cocktail onions - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a mild onion flavor and can be used in similar quantities.
avocado - Substitute with hummus: Hummus provides a creamy texture and rich flavor, making it a good alternative to avocado.
pear - Substitute with apple: Apples have a similar sweetness and crisp texture, making them a suitable replacement for pears.

Best Way to Present This Delightful Salad

Select a pristine white plate: Choose a large, white plate to make the vibrant colors of the salad pop.
Arrange the romaine base: Place the romaine lettuce leaves neatly in the center of the plate, creating a bed for the other ingredients.
Add the watercress: Toss the watercress with the reserved dressing and arrange it artfully around the romaine, ensuring it looks fresh and vibrant.
Slice the potato elegantly: Cut the baking potato into thin, even slices and fan them out on one side of the plate for a visually appealing presentation.
Position the blue cheese: Crumble the remaining roquefort and scatter it delicately over the salad, ensuring even distribution for balanced flavor.
Toast and sprinkle the walnuts: After toasting, scatter the walnut pieces over the salad, adding a crunchy texture.
Add cocktail onions: Place the cocktail onions strategically around the plate to add bursts of tangy flavor.
Slice the avocado: Cut the avocado into thin, elegant slices and fan them out on the opposite side of the plate from the potato.
Incorporate pear slices: Thinly slice the pear and arrange the slices in a visually appealing manner, adding a touch of sweetness to the dish.
Drizzle with dressing: Lightly drizzle any remaining dressing over the entire salad to enhance the flavors and give it a glossy finish.
Garnish with microgreens: Add a final touch of microgreens on top for an extra layer of freshness and a professional finish.

Essential Tools for Making favorite-flavors salad recipe

Small frying pan: Used to toast the walnut pieces over moderately low heat until they are golden brown.
Oven: An alternative to the frying pan for toasting the walnuts at 350°F for 5 to 10 minutes.
Medium pot: Used to boil the baking potato in salted water until it is tender.
Large glass or stainless-steel bowl: Used to mix one third of the blue cheese with vinegar, salt, and pepper, and then whisk in the oil.
Whisk: Used to gradually whisk the oil into the blue cheese mixture.
Platter or salad bowl: Used to transfer the romaine lettuce after it has been tossed with the dressing.
Knife: Used to slice the avocado and pear.
Cutting board: Used as a surface for slicing the avocado and pear.
Measuring cups: Used to measure out the walnut pieces, wine vinegar, and mild oil.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the salt and fresh-ground black pepper.

Storing and Freezing Tips for This Salad

The salad is best served fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
To keep the lettuce and watercress crisp, store them separately from the dressing and other ingredients.
If you want to prepare the salad in advance, you can toast the walnuts, cook the potato, and make the dressing up to a day ahead. Store each component separately in the refrigerator.
The avocado and pear should be sliced just before serving to prevent browning.
Unfortunately, this salad does not freeze well due to the delicate nature of the greens and the high water content of the avocado and pear.
If you have leftover blue cheese, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Leftover cocktail onions can be stored in their original jar or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

Interesting Trivia About favorite-flavors salad recipe

A unique aspect of this favorite-flavors salad recipe is the combination of roquefort, walnuts, and avocado, which creates a rich and creamy texture. The inclusion of wine vinegar adds a tangy note that balances the flavors, making it a delightful dish for those who enjoy complex taste profiles.

Is Making This Salad at Home Cost-Effective?

The favorite-flavors salad recipe is moderately cost-effective. The walnuts and roquefort cheese are premium ingredients, but the romaine lettuce, watercress, potato, cocktail onions, avocado, and pear balance the cost. Overall Verdict: 7/10. Approximate cost: $20-$25 for a household of 4 people.

Is This Salad Recipe Healthy or Unhealthy?

The favorite-flavors salad recipe is a mix of healthy and indulgent ingredients. On the positive side, it includes nutrient-dense foods like romaine lettuce, watercress, avocado, and pear, which provide vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Walnuts are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and protein. However, the recipe also contains high-calorie ingredients such as roquefort cheese and oil, which can contribute to excessive fat and calorie intake if consumed in large quantities. The cocktail onions may also be high in sodium, depending on their preparation.

To make this salad healthier, consider the following suggestions:

Reduce the amount of roquefort cheese or replace it with a lower-fat alternative like feta or goat cheese
Use a lighter oil, such as olive oil, and reduce the quantity used in the dressing
Opt for fresh onions instead of cocktail onions to reduce sodium content
Add more vegetables to the salad, such as cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, or carrots, to increase the nutrient density and fiber content
Use a whole grain or sweet potato instead of a regular baking potato for added fiber and nutrients
Limit the portion size of the salad, especially if consuming it as a side dish, to control calorie intake

Editor's Opinion on This Flavorful Salad Recipe

This salad recipe is a delightful medley of textures and flavors. The combination of creamy roquefort, crunchy walnuts, and crisp romaine creates a balanced base. The addition of tender potato, tangy cocktail onions, and buttery avocado adds depth. The pear slices introduce a sweet contrast that complements the savory elements beautifully. The dressing, with its sharp vinegar and rich blue cheese, ties everything together elegantly. Pairing it with an off-dry Riesling is a brilliant choice, as it will harmonize with the diverse ingredients. Overall, this salad is sophisticated and satisfying, perfect for a gourmet meal.

Enhance Your Favorite-Flavors Salad Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup: Imagine a velvety soup that complements the roquefort and walnuts in your salad. The butternut squash brings a touch of sweetness, while a hint of nutmeg adds warmth. This soup is the perfect cozy companion to your favorite-flavors salad.

Grilled Asparagus with Lemon Zest: Picture tender asparagus spears, lightly charred and kissed with lemon zest. The citrus notes will brighten up the avocado and pear in your salad, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. A sprinkle of sea salt and a drizzle of olive oil make this side dish irresistible.

Garlic Herb Breadsticks: Envision warm, garlic-infused breadsticks, perfect for mopping up any leftover dressing from your favorite-flavors salad. The herbs add an aromatic touch, while the crusty bread provides a satisfying crunch. These breadsticks are a delightful addition to your meal.

Honey-Glazed Carrots: Think of tender carrots glazed with a honey and butter mixture, offering a sweet contrast to the blue cheese and cocktail onions in your salad. A sprinkle of fresh thyme adds a touch of earthiness, making this side dish a perfect match for your favorite-flavors salad.

Raspberry Sorbet: Envision a refreshing dessert to cleanse your palate after enjoying your favorite-flavors salad. The tartness of the raspberries in the sorbet will contrast beautifully with the richness of the roquefort and avocado. This sorbet is a light and delightful way to end your meal.

Similar Recipes to Try If You Enjoy This Salad

Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad: Dive into a symphony of flavors with this salad that combines the earthy sweetness of roasted beets with the creamy tang of goat cheese. Add a handful of arugula and a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts for a delightful crunch. Drizzle with a balsamic vinaigrette to tie it all together.

Grilled Chicken and Mango Salad: This vibrant salad pairs juicy, grilled chicken with sweet, ripe mango. Toss in some mixed greens, red onion, and avocado slices. Finish with a zesty lime-cilantro dressing for a refreshing and satisfying meal.

Quinoa and Black Bean Salad: A hearty and nutritious salad featuring protein-packed quinoa and black beans. Mix in corn, cherry tomatoes, red bell pepper, and cilantro. Dress it with a tangy lime vinaigrette for a burst of flavor in every bite.

Warm Spinach and Bacon Salad: Indulge in the perfect balance of flavors with this salad that combines warm spinach with crispy bacon pieces. Add sliced mushrooms, red onion, and hard-boiled eggs. Top it off with a warm bacon vinaigrette that brings everything together beautifully.

Apple and Pecan Salad: Experience the crispness of apples paired with the rich, nutty flavor of pecans. Toss with mixed greens, dried cranberries, and crumbled feta cheese. A honey mustard dressing adds the perfect touch of sweetness and tang.

Appetizers and Desserts to Complement favorite-flavors salad recipe

Appetizers:

Stuffed Mushrooms: Stuffed Mushrooms are a delightful start to any meal. Imagine cremini mushrooms filled with a savory blend of breadcrumbs, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. The mushroom caps are baked until golden and crispy, offering a perfect bite-sized treat. The earthy flavor of the mushrooms pairs beautifully with the rich, cheesy filling, making it an irresistible appetizer.

Bruschetta: Bruschetta is a classic Italian appetizer that never fails to impress. Picture slices of toasted baguette topped with a vibrant mix of diced tomatoes, fresh basil, and garlic. Drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and a hint of balsamic vinegar, each bite bursts with fresh, zesty flavors. It's a simple yet elegant dish that sets the tone for a delightful dining experience.

Desserts:

Chocolate Mousse: Imagine a velvety chocolate mousse that melts in your mouth, offering a rich and decadent finish to your meal. This dessert pairs beautifully with the riesling wine suggested for your salad, as the wine's subtle sweetness complements the deep, intense flavors of the chocolate. Garnish with a sprinkle of sea salt and a few toasted nuts for added texture and a hint of savory contrast.

Pear Tart: A delicate pear tart can be the perfect follow-up to your salad, echoing the fresh fruit flavors while adding a touch of elegance. The buttery pastry crust cradles tender, caramelized pear slices, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to elevate the experience.

Why trust this Favorite-Flavors Salad Recipe:

This recipe combines the rich flavors of roquefort and walnuts with the freshness of romaine lettuce and watercress. The addition of avocado and pear adds a creamy and sweet contrast, making each bite a delightful experience. The dressing, made with wine vinegar and mild oil, perfectly balances the salad's diverse ingredients. Toasting the nuts enhances their flavor, while the tender potato adds a comforting texture. This recipe is a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, ensuring a satisfying and memorable dish.