Hearts Of Romaine With Roquefort Toasted Pecans Food

THE BRUTUS SALAD

Steps:

• Place Dijon mustard, vegetable oil, seasoned rice vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and cayenne into a bowl. Whisk thoroughly until well blended, about a minute. Transfer to an easy-to-pour container.
• Place pecans in a skillet over medium heat. Drizzle with vegetable oil. Cook and stir until pecans smell toasty and have darkened slightly, 1 or 2 minutes. Sprinkle with kosher salt and sugar. Cook and stir another minute; remove from heat. Transfer to a plate to cool.
• Place romaine pieces into a large bowl. Add apple slices, dill, tarragon, and a handful of pecans, reserving some for garnish. Grate Cheddar lightly onto salad, reserving some for garnish. Drizzle in some dressing and toss. Taste and add more salt or dressing if desired. You make not need all of the dressing.
• Garnish with a few toasted pecans and some grated Cheddar cheese.

HEARTS OF ROMAINE WITH ROQUEFORT & TOASTED PECANS

Steps:

• 1. Blend 6 ounces cheese, mayonnaise, and yogurt in processor. Add 1/4 cup water and hot pepper sauce; blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Whisk before using.)
• 2. Arrange lettuce on large platter. Drizzle dressing over lettuce. Sprinkle with pecans and remaining cheese and serve.

ROMAINE WITH ORANGES AND PECANS

Steps:

• Place lettuce, pecans and oranges in salad bowl.
• Combine dressing ingredients in a blender and blend until well mixed.
• Make ahead and refrigerate until ready to toss with salad.
• Use extra dressing for dip with fresh fruit!

HEARTS OF ROMAINE SALAD WITH APPLES, CHEESE AND HAZELNUTS

Steps:

• Vinaigrette: In a container, whisk together the vinegars, sugar, sweet mustard, salt and vanilla. Whisk in the oil. Makes a generous 1 cup of vinaigrette.
• Salad: Arrange the romaine on individual salad plates.
• To prepare the peeled and cored apples, cut each half into 1/4-inch thick slices, then cut each slice into thirds.
• Place the apples in a small bowl and toss with enough of the vinaigrette to coat the pieces. You can prepare the apple mixture up to an hour ahead. Important: If you coat the apples with the dressing any longer than that, they will absorb too much of the vinaigrette, which overwhelms the apple flavor.
• Divide the apple mixture among the salads. Top each serving with a portion of the cheese and then a portion of the hazelnuts.
• Drizzle an extra bit of the vinaigrette over the greens and around the edges of the salad. Serve.
• Alternatively: Instead of hearts of Romaine lettuce, consider a mixture of baby spinach, hearts of Romaine and/or other mixed young greens. You could also substitute feta or white cheddar, aged gouda, etc. for the blue cheese.
• Another serving option would be to assemble the entire salad on a large platter instead of individual salad plates.

ROMAINE AND ROASTED-BEET SALAD WITH CREAMY ROQUEFORT DRESSING

Steps:

• Make dressing:
• Whisk first 5 ingredients in small bowl to blend. Fold in Roquefort cheese and cream. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Make salad:
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Wrap beets tightly in foil. Bake until tender, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Cool beets; peel and cut each into wedges.
• Arrange 2 lettuce quarters crosswise on each of 6 large plates. Surround lettuce on each plate with beet wedges. Top with some onion slices and watercress sprigs. Drizzle with dressing, sprinkle with walnuts and serve.