Christinas Salad Food

CHRISTINA'S SALAD

Steps:

• Place sugar, balsamic vinegar, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, shallots, Worcestershire sauce, and paprika in a container with a tight-fitting lid; shake until mixed well. Add oil and shake to mix. Refrigerate for flavors to blend, 1 hour.
• Combine spinach, strawberries, pecans, and goat cheese in a bowl. Add dressing; toss to coat.

CHRISTMAS SALAD

Steps:

• Line a plate with parchment. Toss the pecans with the pumpkin pie spice, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a small bowl. Add the mixture to a small nonstick skillet and heat over medium heat, tossing frequently, until the spices begin to brown and become fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon of the honey and cook, stirring constantly, until the honey begins to caramelize and the pecans are well coated, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to the prepared plate, making sure the pecans are in an even layer and not stacked on top of each other. Let cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place a small bowl that can hold 1 cup of salad dressing in the center of a large platter. Toss the arugula, frisee and radicchio in a large bowl. Spread the lettuce mixture in a circle to resemble a wreath around the bowl on the platter.
• Slice both ends off one of the oranges and set the fruit flat-side down on a cutting board. With a paring knife, slice the peel and the pith off in sections, following the shape of the orange. Remove whole segments by cutting towards the center of the orange along a membrane. Then slice along the adjacent membrane to release the segment. Place the segments in a small bowl. Squeeze the juice from the remaining membranes into a medium bowl.
• Halve the remaining orange and squeeze the juice into the medium bowl (you should have about 1/3 cup). Whisk in the vinegar, Dijon, remaining 1 tablespoon honey, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until emulsified. Pour the dressing into the bowl in the center of the platter.
• To serve, scatter the honeyed pecans, orange segments, pomegranate seeds and feta cheese over top of the lettuce wreath.

CHRISTINA'S FRESH SALSA

Steps:

• Dice the tomatoes (Plese use a knife and cutting board, if you use a food processor it cuts them to fine and you will have salsa soup).
• Dice the red onion and jalepeno(s) adjust to taste, if you like it spicy add the seeds and use 2, if you like a mild salsa scrape out the seeds and don't use them -- we add 2 peppers seeds and all, we love it spicy!
• Finely Chop up the Fresh Cilantro, stems and all, measure out a cup. *This is a loose measurement, if you want more or less, you can add it, this is a recipe to taste*.
• Add the tomatoes, onions, cilantro and jalepenos to a bowl, add salt and the fresh ground black pepper to taste. Add in the freshly squeezed lime juice and stir.
• Taste it and see if it is the way you like it, if it needs more of anything add it -- if you want it hotter still add some hot sauce, a couple of drops at a time.
• Once it is hot, salty or sour enough, stir well and put in the fridge untill ready to serve.

CHRISTINA'S DECADENT SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400.
• Form the 4, 1 oz portions of goat cheese into patties. Grind half of the pine nuts and mix with breadcrumbs, chives, salt and pepper on a plate. Coat the goat cheese in the breadcrumb mixture (press firmly).
• Place half of the strawberries in a food processor and blend until pureed.
• In a small saucepan add oil and heat over medium to low heat. Whisk in vinegar, honey, and pureed strawberries. Season with salt and pepper. Turn heat to low (dressing can be served cold, but whisk it before tossing!).
• Place goat cheese in the oven for about 5 minutes until they are warmed. Meanwhile --
• Place spinach, remainder of sliced strawberries, jicama, and remainder of pine nuts in a bowl. Toss with warmed dressing.
• Divide into four equal portions and top with warmed goat cheese. Enjoy!