Imagine a salad that transforms ordinary greens into a culinary masterpiece - the Candied Pecan Frisée Salad is about to become your new obsession! This French-inspired dish combines the delicate, feathery texture of frisée lettuce with the irresistible crunch of candied pecans, creating a symphony of flavors that will make your taste buds dance. Perfect for those seeking a gourmet salad that's both elegant and surprisingly simple to prepare, this recipe promises to elevate your home cooking from mundane to magnificent.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups frisée lettuce
- 1 cup candied pecans
- 1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette
Instructions
- Prepare the frisée lettuce by gently washing the leaves under cool running water. Carefully pat dry using clean paper towels or a salad spinner to remove excess moisture.
- Tear the frisée lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place in a large mixing bowl. Ensure the leaves are roughly the same size for even distribution of ingredients.
- Thinly slice the red onion using a sharp knife, creating delicate, translucent rings or half-moons. Separate the onion slices to prevent clumping.
- If the candied pecans are not pre-prepared, toast raw pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Then coat with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon.
- Crumble the blue cheese into small, irregular pieces using your fingers or a fork, ensuring a varied texture throughout the salad.
- Add the crumbled blue cheese, candied pecans, thinly sliced red onion, and dried cranberries to the frisée lettuce.
- Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the salad, using a light hand to ensure even coating without saturating the delicate leaves.
- Gently toss the salad using two large spoons or salad tongs, ensuring all ingredients are well combined and lightly dressed.
- Serve immediately to maintain the crisp texture of the frisée and the crunchiness of the candied pecans.
Tips
- Lettuce Preparation: Always wash and thoroughly dry your frisée to prevent a watery salad. A salad spinner works wonders for achieving the perfect crisp texture.
- Candied Pecan Perfection: When toasting pecans, watch them carefully - they can burn quickly! Keep them moving in the pan and remove from heat the moment they become fragrant.
- Dressing Technique: Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette sparingly. You want to enhance the flavors, not drown the delicate ingredients.
- Serving Tip: Serve immediately after tossing to maintain the crisp texture of the lettuce and the crunch of the candied pecans.
- Customization: Feel free to experiment with different cheese varieties if blue cheese isn't your favorite. Goat cheese can be an excellent alternative.
- Make-Ahead Hack: Prepare ingredients separately and combine just before serving to keep everything fresh and crisp.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 22g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 20mg
