Mixed Organic Santa Barbara Field Greens With Hazelnut Vinaigrette Recipes

Steps:

• In a blender, puree the hazelnuts with the vinegars. Add the Gorgonzola and puree for 1 minute. With the motor running, add the olive oil in a steady stream. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Wash arugula, pat dry, and separate leaves of radicchio. Break leaves into bitesized pieces.
• Just before serving, toss salad greens in a bowl with enough vinaigrette to coat leaves.

Steps:

• Just before serving time, peel, core, and slice the pears. Combine the greens, pears, walnuts, and blue cheese in a large salad bowl. Drizzle half the Port-Shallot Dressing over the top and toss. Drizzle in the remaining dressing, tossing until the greens are well coated-you may not need to add all the dressing. (Leftover dressing can be kept refrigerated for up to 1 week for another use.) Season with salt and pepper, and toss again.
• Place on chilled salad plates and serve.
• Pour the port into a small heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 15 minutes, or until the port is reduced to 2/3 cup without the shallots. Set aside to let cool.
• Pour the port and shallots into the conainer of a blender and puree. Add the vinegar and blend well. While the motor is running, drizzle the oil through the hole in the blender top and continue to blend until emulsified and smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside; refrigerate if not using immediately.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the hazelnuts out on a baking sheet and toast until golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool and slightly crush (the bottom of a measuring cup works well).
• Add the coriander to a small skillet and swirl over medium heat until toasted, about 2 minutes. Crack the coriander and add to a baking dish along with the hazelnuts, shallots, vinegar, honey, 1/2 teaspoon salt, the cayenne and the juice of 1 orange. Whisk in the olive oil in a slow and steady stream. Set aside.
• Fit a medium, shallow pot with a steamer insert and add about an inch of water. Bring to a simmer, add the carrots, cover and steam until just fork-tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to the baking dish, toss gently and allow the carrots to cool in the vinaigrette at room temperature.
• Segment the remaining orange and arrange the carrots on a serving platter, topped with the orange segments. Sprinkle with salt if desired. Serve.

Steps:

• To prepare the vinaigrette: in a small bowl, combine the honey, vinegar, shallots, herbs, salt, and pepper. Whisk together until well blended. Slowly whisk in the 2 oils until emulsified. Reserve.
• In another bowl, combine the field greens and edible flowers. Season with salt and pepper. Lightly dress with the prepared vinaigrette. Mound onto chilled salad plates.