Thread: Salad Design

On 7/8/2010 2:56 PM, Mark Thorson wrote:
> I'm thinking of making a salad made from cubes of
> chayote squash and Asian pear. They both have similar
> firmness with contrasting texture, the chayote being
> firm and smooth, while the pear is less firm and
> grainy. They are both somewhat sweet, the pear being
> sweeter than the chayote. I think they'd go very well
> together.
>
> I'm not quite sure what would be a good dressing
> for this. Recently, I've been pouring Trader Joe's
> Greek Style Feta Dressing over everything, but I'm
> sure there must be other possibilities that might
> complement the main ingredients better.
>
> I'm also thinking about what would be a good third
> solid ingredient. I'm thinking raisens or Zante
> currants. Probably no nuts in this one. Maybe
> grapes. Maybe chopped apricots.
>
> Any suggestions?
>

Sounds good. Celery and raisins would be good additions.

Dressing

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
1/4 cup sugar, or to taste
1/4 cup oil
1/4 teaspoon salt

Becca

On Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:56:43 -0700, Mark Thorson <[email protected]>
wrote:

> I'm thinking of making a salad made from cubes of
> chayote squash and Asian pear. They both have similar
> firmness with contrasting texture, the chayote being
> firm and smooth, while the pear is less firm and
> grainy. They are both somewhat sweet, the pear being
> sweeter than the chayote. I think they'd go very well
> together.
>
> I'm not quite sure what would be a good dressing
> for this. Recently, I've been pouring Trader Joe's
> Greek Style Feta Dressing over everything, but I'm
> sure there must be other possibilities that might
> complement the main ingredients better.
>
> I'm also thinking about what would be a good third
> solid ingredient. I'm thinking raisens or Zante
> currants. Probably no nuts in this one. Maybe
> grapes. Maybe chopped apricots.
>
> Any suggestions?


My immediate reaction was to use a ginger dressing. If you want
cheese, try a blue cheese instead of feta. Dried cranberries would be
prettier than raisins or currents and give it a little zing.

This recipe originally went with asparagus and included sesame oil

Lemon Ginger Dressing

1 tbs. grated ginger
1/3 c. lemon juice
2/3 c. oil
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. white pepper


Prepare dressing by combining ginger and lemon juice in small bowl.
Slowly add oil in thin stream, whisking constantly. Stir in salt and
pepper.

--
Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.

Mark Thorson <[email protected]>
>wrote:
>
>> I'm thinking of making a salad made from cubes of
>> chayote squash and Asian pear. They both have similar
>> firmness with contrasting texture, the chayote being
>> firm and smooth, while the pear is less firm and
>> grainy. They are both somewhat sweet, the pear being
>> sweeter than the chayote. I think they'd go very well
>> together.
>>
>> I'm not quite sure what would be a good dressing
>> for this. Recently, I've been pouring Trader Joe's
>> Greek Style Feta Dressing over everything, but I'm
>> sure there must be other possibilities that might
>> complement the main ingredients better.
>>
>> I'm also thinking about what would be a good third
>> solid ingredient. I'm thinking raisens or Zante
>> currants. Probably no nuts in this one. Maybe
>> grapes. Maybe chopped apricots.
>>
>> Any suggestions?

Add granny smith apple chunks, pineapple chunks, and mandarin orange
sections... I'd use a honey mustard dressing. Raisins are fine, so
are craisins... garnish with sesame seeds or sunflower seeds.

Mark wrote:

> I'm thinking of making a salad made from cubes of
> chayote squash and Asian pear. They both have similar
> firmness with contrasting texture, the chayote being
> firm and smooth, while the pear is less firm and
> grainy. They are both somewhat sweet, the pear being
> sweeter than the chayote. I think they'd go very well
> together.
>
> I'm not quite sure what would be a good dressing
> for this. Recently, I've been pouring Trader Joe's
> Greek Style Feta Dressing over everything, but I'm
> sure there must be other possibilities that might
> complement the main ingredients better.
>
> I'm also thinking about what would be a good third
> solid ingredient. I'm thinking raisens or Zante
> currants. Probably no nuts in this one. Maybe
> grapes. Maybe chopped apricots.
>
> Any suggestions?

Cucumber, and dress simply with seasoned vinegar.

Bob