Little Gem Salad Food

LITTLE GEM SALAD WITH HORSERADISH DRESSING

Steps:

• Heat 1/2 cup vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons capers (patted dry) and fry until crisp, about 2 minutes. Remove with a spoon; drain on paper towels. Toss 1 minced small shallot with 2 teaspoons lemon juice in a large bowl; let sit 10 minutes, then whisk in 1/2 cup creme fraiche, 2 tablespoons horseradish (drained), 1 teaspoon each lemon zest, Dijon mustard and kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Add 4 small heads Little Gem lettuce and 2 heads red endive (leaves separated), 1 cup sugar snap peas (strings removed and sliced), 6 thinly sliced radishes and 1/3 cup chopped dill; toss. Top with the fried capers.

LITTLE GEM SALAD WITH LEMON CREAM AND HAZELNUTS

Steps:

• Boost the Cream:
• Combine garlic and cream in a small bowl. Season with salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cover and chill 1 hour.
• Go Nuts:
• Toast the hazelnuts on a rimmed baking sheet in a 350° oven, tossing occasionally, until golden, 8-10 minutes. Let cool; coarsely chop.
• Veg Out:
• Thinly slice the carrots lengthwise on a mandoline and separate leaves from lettuce.
• Get Dressed:
• Strain the infused cream into a medium bowl and add the oil. Whip to very soft peaks, then whisk in 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed.
• Bring It Home:
• Toss the carrots, lettuce, mint leaves, and half of hazelnuts with remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper. Add a few dollops of lemon cream and gently toss to coat. Spoon remaining lemon cream onto a platter and mound salad over. Top with cheese, remaining hazelnuts, and some cracked pepper and flaky sea salt.

LITTLE GEM SALAD WITH GARLICKY ALMOND DRESSING

Steps:

• Remove wilted exterior leaves from each head of lettuce. Cut stems from the lettuce heads, separate leaves and swish in a large basin of cold water, letting any sand or dirt sink to the bottom. Lift the leaves from the water and transfer to a colander. Shake away excess water. Wrap in kitchen towels to dry or use a salad spinner.
• Make the dressing: Put almonds, vinegar and garlic in a small bowl. Whisk in the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Put leaves in a wide salad bowl. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Dress lightly just before serving, using 2 or 3 tablespoons of dressing and coating leaves well. Taste and add more dressing as necessary. Store any remaining dressing in refrigerator for up to 3 days.

LITTLE GEM LETTUCE WITH GREEN GODDESS DRESSING

Steps:

• Blend anchovies, garlic, mayonnaise, sour cream, basil, parsley, tarragon, 1 Tbsp. lemon juice, and 4 1/2 tsp. oil in a blender until smooth with only a few flecks of green; season dressing with salt.
• Combine lettuce, radishes, and remaining 1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. lemon juice in a large bowl, drizzle with oil, and season with salt; toss to combine.
• Top salad with a few spoonfuls of dressing; reserve remaining dressing for another use (like a turkey sandwich!).
• Do Ahead
• Dressing can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

LITTLE GEM WEDGE SALAD WITH TAHINI RANCH

Steps:

• Whisk garlic, yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, and 1 Tbsp. oil in a medium bowl until incorporated and smooth. Season dressing with kosher salt and lots of black pepper (it should look speckled).
• Toss lettuce and vinegar in a large bowl; season with kosher salt. Add mixed herbs and give it all another toss.
• Spread dressing over plates and top with salad. Sprinkle with seeds, chives, Aleppo-style pepper, and sea salt and drizzle with a little oil.

LITTLE GEM SALAD WITH BUTTERMILK CHAAS

Steps:

• Pour buttermilk into a measuring glass or small bowl. Heat oil in a small saucepan or skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Add chiles, curry leaves, cumin seeds, and brown mustard seeds one at a time, pausing for a second between each addition and swirling pan. Cook until spices are toasted and curry leaves sizzle and pop, about 10 seconds (take care as oil will splatter!). Quickly pour spice oil into buttermilk; stir to combine. Taste chaas dressing and season with salt.
• Do Ahead: Dressing can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
• Soak radishes in a bowl of ice water until they curl, about 10 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
• Toss half of the radishes in a large bowl with lettuce, cucumber, peas, mint, and cilantro. Drizzle in dressing; toss to coat. Taste salad and season with salt if needed. Top with remaining radishes.

CHARRED LITTLE GEMS CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Add the yogurt, capers, lemon juice, Dijon, garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper to a blender. Turn on the blender and slowly stream in the olive oil until combined, about 1 minute. Pour into a small dish and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• In a small food processor, dump the croutons and 1/2 cup Parmesan and pulse until in rough bits, then set aside for later.
• Heat a 14-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon blended oil. Once heated add the Little Gem wedges cut-side down and sear until the undersides are medium to dark brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove and set aside. (Do this in batches if necessary to not crowd the skillet.)
• Add the remaining tablespoon blended oil to the same skillet over medium heat. Add the red onions and cook until brown, about 5 minutes. Add the red wine vinegar and cook until the liquid is absorbed, about 30 seconds. Remove from the skillet and place in a small bowl.
• Use a paper towel to wipe out the skillet, then return to medium-high heat. Add the crouton-cheese mixture and heat until warmed through and evenly browned, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Put a spoonful of dressing on each of 4 to 6 plates and spread in a circle with the back of the spoon. Arrange 4 to 6 pieces Little Gem on each plate. Drizzle with more dressing, then sprinkle on capers, charred onion and thinly shaved Parm all over those babies. Sprinkle your warm cheesy crumbs over the top to finish.

LITTLE GEM & PEA SALAD

Steps:

• Put the Little Gem wedges in a large bowl or on a serving platter. Bring a medium saucepan of water to the boil, add the peas and cook for 2 mins. Drain well and refresh under cold running water until cooled. Add the well-drained peas to the lettuce and toss together.
• In a small bowl, combine the shallot, lemon juice and vinegar, plus a pinch of salt. Leave to stand for 10 mins, then add the olive oil and season with ground black pepper. Add the dressing to the Gem wedges and peas, and toss together.

GRILLED LITTLE GEMS WITH CHERRY TOMATOES, NECTARINES, AND CREAMY DILL DRESSING RECIPE

Steps:

• To make the dressing: In a food processor, combine the buttermilk, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, garlic, dill, green onions, salt, and pepper and pulse until the dressing is smooth. Transfer to a tall 8-ounce Mason jar and refrigerate.
• Prepare a campfire and fit it with a grill grate. Remove the dressing from the cooler and let it come to room temperature.
• To make the salad: Once the flames die down, heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet on the grate until hot but not smoking and roast the cherry tomatoes until blistered, about 3 minutes. Remove the tomatoes from the heat and grill the corn directly on the campfire grate, then cut the kernels from the cobs. Halve the nectarine and lightly grill it cut-side down on the campfire grate, then cut each half into 8 slices (for 16 slices total).
• Cut the lettuces in half lengthwise. Brush the cut sides with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill on the campfire grate until soft and slightly singed, about 3 minutes per side. Plate the lettuce halves on a platter and drizzle with the dressing (give it a good shake first). Sprinkle the corn, tomatoes, and nectarine slices evenly over the top and serve with extra dressing on the side.

DRESSED LITTLE GEMS

Steps:

• Mix the oil and vinegar with a generous pinch of salt (preferably flakes) to make the dressing.
• Pack the lettuce into a plastic food container with ice to keep it fresh. Take the dressing and cheese into smaller containers. Arrange the lettuce on a platter, drizzle with the dressing and scatter with the cheese.