Rustic Winter Salad with Sherry Vinaigrette & Torn Croutons
a beautiful, crunchy, and rustic winter salad with sherry vinaigrette and torn croutons
serves: 4
Ingredients
Sherry Vinaigrette
- ¼ cup sherry vinegar
- 2 tbsp pomegranate juice
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- ¾ cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp chopped tarragon
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
Torn Croutons
- 6 oz torn bread (I used an ancient grain)
- olive oil, as needed
- kosher salt, as needed
Salad
- 2 heads of endive
- 1 head of radicchio
- 10 radishes, quartered
- 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced
- 2 golden beets, thinly shaved
- 1 red or candy cane beet, thinly shaved
- 1 large handful torn butter lettuce
- 1 large handful arugula
Instructions
Sherry Vinaigrette
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sherry vinegar, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, and maple syrup. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, whisking until incorporated. Stir in the tarragon and salt.
Torn Croutons
Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add enough olive oil to fully coat the pan and come up the sides about ¼ of an inch. When the oil is hot, toss in the torn bread. Toast the bread, stirring often, until golden and crispy on the outside, but still slightly soft on the inside. Transfer the croutons to a paper towel lined plate and season with a pinch of salt immediately.
Salad
Cut the root off each endive. Separate the leaves and throw them into a bowl. Repeat with the radicchio, tearing the leaves as needed, but keeping them nice and big. Add the radishes, fennel, both beets, butter lettuce, and arugula. Toss the vegetables and lettuces with the vinaigrette, adding in small amounts at a time. Save any leftover vinaigrette you may have for another use. Plate the salad in a large bowl and top with the torn croutons.