Orange, Pear, and Date Salad with Orange-Rosemary Vinaigrette

Servings: 4

Though the jewel-like tones of orange slices scream for attention, the charm of this refreshing salad is its balanced, simple, almost subdued flavors, which beguile with every bite.

Ingredients

  • 3 oranges (about 9 oz. each)
  • 2 Tbs. white wine or Champagne vinegar
  • 2 tsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary
  • 3/4 tsp. finely chopped fresh thyme
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 small heads Little Gem (sucrine) or 10 oz. baby romaine or butter lettuce, coarsely chopped (about 6-1/2 cups)
  • 1 large ripe pear, quartered, cored, and sliced into thin wedges
  • 4 Medjool dates, pitted and each cut into 4 to 5 pieces
  • 1/3 cup very thinly sliced red onion
  • 4 oz. fresh mozzarella, either small balls, such as ciliegine or bocconcini, or larger, cut into pieces (optional)
  • 2 Tbs. toasted pine nuts
  • Flaky sea salt

Preparation

  • Use a rasp-style grater to remove 1-1/2 tsp. zest from one of the oranges. Juice one of the oranges to yield 1/4 cup juice. In a small bowl, whisk the juice, zest, vinegar, rosemary, and thyme. Continue whisking as you slowly add the olive oil in a steady stream. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Cut the peel away from the remaining two oranges in strips, removing all of the bitter white pith but not too much of the flesh. Slice the oranges crosswise no more than 1/4 inch thick. Remove and discard any seeds.
  • Pile the chopped lettuce in the center of a platter or divide among serving plates. Top with the orange slices, pear, dates, onion, and mozzarella, if using, and then sprinkle with the pine nuts, a grind or two of black pepper, and some sea salt. Whisk the vinaigrette, spoon some over the salad, and pass the rest at the table.
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