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Smoked Almond and Goat Cheese Salad

This salad features crisp greens, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy smoked almonds, creating a delightful texture contrast with a light, tangy dressing.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Salad Base
  • 1 lb fresh baby spinach and/or spring mix Use fully dry greens for better dressing adherence.
  • 3 tbs fresh parsley
Salad Toppings
  • 3/4 cup crushed smoked almonds Add just before serving to maintain crunch.
  • 4 oz crumbled goat cheese Medium crumbles work best for texture.
Dressing Ingredients
  • 1 tbs honey
  • 2 tbs red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • 4 tbs olive oil Whisk well until emulsified.
  • 2 tsp fresh rosemary
  • 1 shallot minced Saute to soften flavor.
  • Salt and pepper To taste.

Method
 

Dressing Preparation
  1. Sauté minced shallot in 1 tablespoon of olive oil until soft.
  2. Add honey, and season with salt and pepper.
  3. Transfer mixture to a small bowl, whisk in red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, and rosemary.
  4. Slowly add olive oil while whisking until dressing is emulsified.
Salad Assembly
  1. Combine the spinach/spring mix and parsley in a large bowl.
  2. Add the dressing to the greens and toss gently to coat.
  3. Plate the spinach mixture onto shallow bowls.
  4. Top with crushed smoked almonds and crumbled goat cheese.

Notes

Dry greens thoroughly before dressing to prevent sogginess. Serve immediately after dressing for best texture.