by Tierney O'Hara

Created on: July 07, 2009   Last Updated: July 12, 2009

Quick and Easy Company Salad

This salad only takes a few minutes to make, but looks pretty and tastes great. I call it Company Salad because it's more special than an everyday tossed salad. Its mix of sweet and savory flavors make this dish sparkle. The bright red of the pepper and onion, the creamy color of the blue cheese and almonds, and the pale greens of the lettuce create a visual delight.

Mixed with the sweet and tangy flavors of Raspberry Vinaigrette, this salad is always a winner. The next time someone says: Would you mind bringing a salad? Take this dish along and be prepared for the compliments you'll receive.

Ingredients

2 bags of baby lettuce greens

1 red pepper

1/2 red onion

1/2 cup *Craisins

1/2 cup sliced, toasted almonds

small chunk of blue cheese

cracked black pepper and Kosher salt

raspberry vinaigrette salad dressing.

Fill a large salad bowl half-way with pre-washed baby lettuce mix. Slice red pepper into thin strips and add to your salad bowl. Slice red onion very thin and add to the bowl. For two bags of lettuce I use one whole red pepper and one-half red onion, but you can alter amounts to your liking.

Add in 1/2 cup Craisins and 1/2 cup sliced, toasted almonds.

Crumble blue cheese over the top, as much as you like.

Sprinkle with Kosher salt and cracked black pepper. Toss with raspberry vinaigrette and serve immediately.

This salad is elegant enough for a book club luncheon or company dinner, yet so delicious even kids like it.

I usually use Marie's Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing because it turns this salad into a 3 minute prep-time recipe.

But, if you want to use a homemade raspberry vinaigrette, this recipe is one of the best I've tasted.

1/2 cup raspberry vinegar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 Tablespoon minced shallots
A pinch of basil or sage
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Mix first five ingredients. Whisk in oil and taste. Add salt and pepper if needed.

Do not overdress the salad and make it soggy. It's better to add the dressing spoon by spoon rather than drown the ingredients in dressing.

If you want to make this salad into a main course, add strips of grilled chicken or shrimp on top of your greens. You can also add fresh raspberries to your salad after tossing.

If you can't find Craisins in your store, you can use dried cranberries that you've rehydrated and chopped into small pieces.

*Craisins is the brand name for sweetened, dried cranberries made by Ocean Spray Cranberry.

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