Sunday, October 18, 2009

Barcelona Salad

While on my my last trip to Europe in Spring, we enjoyed trying Mediterranean dishes.
We went to this one little quaint restaurant and ordered this avocado/tomato salad. Hm.....
This was delicious. But it was too easy...lettuce, tomatoes, avocados, and fresh basil. I know that I always have those ingredients in my home. But what was in that dressing? That became the discussion of our entire meal....
The next night we went back to that same little restaurant and ordered exactly the same salad.
So I think I have experimented enough with dressings over the past months that I will post this recipe. I know my family has enjoyed this salad with a Mediterranean flare.

Salad Ingredients
  • Your favorite lettuce greens
  • Avocados
  • Tomatoes
  • Red Onions
  • Fresh Basil
Mediterranean Salad Dressing ~ Chef Dez Cooking
  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup oil packed sundried tomatoes, drained & finely chopped
  • 1 large garlic clove, crushed
  • 2 Tbsp. liquid honey (I used 4 Tbsp demerara sugar instead)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp fresh cracked pepper
  1. Place all ingredients in a bowl, and whisk thoroughly to combine.
  2. I often use my small Braun multi-quick hand blender
  3. Arrange your salad bowls with lettuce greens adding tomatoes, avocados, onions
  4. Pour immediately over your ingredients in salad bowls.
  5. Sprinkle with fresh basil.
Hope you can add this to your favorites.

Vinaigrette Blueberry


Salads is one of our family's favorites. It's always fun to see what someone else can create.
On Thanksgiving weekend, we sampled another delicious salad, meaning this dressing will really catch your eye. Blueberries? As we all know they are high in antioxidants and good for our health. I'm sure we have all enjoyed fresh blueberries in our salads, but what about the dressing?
When our family joined Chef Dez cooking class, we were all inspired once again to try something new.

Once again, take a salad bowl, and prepare your favorite greens, add a few tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and this wonderful dressing, topped with slices of fresh Parmesan cheese.

The artists are hard at work...as they love to create flavors.

Blueberry Vinaigrette
  • 11/2 cups blueberries ( frozen or fresh)
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  1. Place all the ingredients, except for the olive oil, in a food processor. Puree on high speed until thoroughly combined.
  2. Add the olive oil slowly while the process is still running. Makes approximately 1.5 cups of dressing.
Add some chicken or prawns and enjoy a delightful low calorie meal.