Simple Red Leaf Salad Recipes

RED LEAF LETTUCE SALAD WITH GOLDEN BEETS AND GRAPES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Combine lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, anchovy paste, salt, and pepper for dressing in a bowl. Stream in olive oil, whisking until well combined; set aside.
• Trim off the beets' leafy tops and root ends. Rub each beet with a little olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Wrap each tightly in a piece of foil and place on a baking sheet.
• Bake beets in the preheated oven until you can easily pierce through the centers with a paring knife, 40 to 45 minutes.
• Remove beets from oven, and allow to cool still wrapped in foil until you can handle them, 10 to 15 minutes. Rub each beet with a paper towel to remove the skin. Set aside to cool, then cut to your preference, either into chunks or slices.
• Tear lettuce leaves into pieces and add to a large bowl along with grapes and red onion. Add beets and give the salad a light stir. Drizzle some of the dressing to your taste, and toss gently until all is well coated. Store any remaining dressing tightly covered in the refrigerator.

RED-LEAF LETTUCE WITH SHALLOT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Stir together shallot and vinegar and let stand 10 minutes. Whisk in mustard, oil, kosher salt, and pepper to taste until blended. Tear lettuce into bite-size pieces and toss with shallot vinaigrette.

ROASTED CARROTS AND RED LEAF LETTUCE SALAD WITH BUTTERMILK HERB DRESSING

Steps:

• For the carrots: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Cut the green leaves from the carrot tops, then rinse, drain and set them aside to use for the dressing. Use a vegetable brush to clean the carrots (leave the peel on to give the carrots texture). Cut them on the diagonal into 1-inch pieces.
• In a small bowl, toss the carrots with the olive oil, honey, salt and pepper. Transfer to a baking sheet and roast until tender and caramelized (I like mine to be on the borderline of starting to burn), about 20 minutes. Keep an eye on them; they burn easily! Let cool completely.
• For the dressing: While the carrots cool, make the dressing. Whisk the buttermilk, yogurt, olive oil, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper in a bowl until emulsified. Stir in the chives, tarragon, dill, carrot leaves and oregano.
• For the salad: In a large salad bowl, toss the lettuce, pistachios, cherries, cheese and carrots with the dressing. Serve immediately.

SHREDDED RED LEAF SALAD WITH CREAMY RED WINE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Whisk together shallot, mayonnaise, vinegar, and pepper in a large bowl. Slowly whisk in olive oil until homogenous. Season with salt, to taste. Add lettuce to bowl and toss to coat with dressing.

RED LETTUCE WITH BALSAMIC ONIONS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cut the onions in 1/2 and slice 1/4-inch thick, place on a baking sheet and toss with:
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
• Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the onions are tender.
• Remove from oven and toss with 2 more tablespoons balsamic vinegar and cool to room temperature.
• Whisk together the shallots, mustard, red wine vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. While whisking, add 3/4 cup olive oil until emulsified.
• To assemble, toss enough lettuce for 6 people with dressing, to taste. Place the lettuce on 6 plates and arrange the onions on top. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve.

RED LETTUCE SALAD

Steps:

• Pat the lettuce dry with clean paper towels or spin the rinsed pieces in the salad spinner until dry.
• Put the clean, dry,torn lettuce in a large glass salad bowl.
• Sprinkle the chopped cucumber, sliced black olives, sliced cherry tomatoes and shredded Parmesan cheese over the lettuce pieces.
• Do not toss yet.
• Cover and chill until ready to serve.
• Just before serving toss the salad with the dressing and serve chilled.
• As an added touch chill your salad bowls in the freezer so they will be well chilled for a more special presentation.
• Enjoy !

RED LEAF SALAD WITH ROASTED BEETS, ORANGES, AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• 1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Lay the beets on one half of a large piece of aluminum foil. Sprinkle with olive oil and season with salt. Fold the foil in half to make a packet and roll the edges to seal. Lay on a baking sheet and roast until tender, 45 to 60 minutes. Let cool. Peel the beets and slice into 1/2-inch-thick wedges.
• 2. Keep the oven at 350°F; toast the walnuts on a baking sheet for a few minutes, 5 to 7, until they smell good. Remove the nuts and let them cool while you wash and dry the lettuce and tear it into a salad bowl.
• 3. Zest one orange-you need 1 teaspoon grated zest. Using a very sharp knife, cut the ends from the oranges, slicing just deep enough to expose the flesh. Cut off the remaining peel and pith. Then, working over a bowl, remove the segments, cutting between the membrane. Place the segments in a strainer to drain off excess juice.
• 4. Whisk together the dressing ingredients-the shallot, fennel seeds, and lemon juice-in a small bowl, adding the oil last, whisking as you pour it in so the dressing emulsifies a bit. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
• 5. Toss the nuts, beets, oranges, and the dressing with the salad, adjust the seasoning, and serve immediately.
• Tips and Techniques
• Teresa: "The oranges and beets are best tossed in at the last minute, when you dress the salad to serve it, lest the o‐juice and beety color run amok."
• About the Cook
• Teresa Parker is an expert on Catalonia and its cuisine, and runs culinary tours in Spain. She's a good friend of Merrill's and splits her time between New York City and Wellfleet, Massachusetts.

RED LEAF AND MANDARIN SALAD

Steps:

• In a salad bowl, combine the lettuce, oranges, cheese and peppers. , In a small bowl, whisk the oil, honey, vinegar, mustard and salt. Stir in onion. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Sprinkle with almonds. Serve immediately.