Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Curried Cashew Salad

I cannot even begin to describe how tasty this salad is! Mmmm. You'll just have to trust me and try it. I would almost guarantee that you'll love it, unless you don't like one of the ingredients... then it's a crap shoot. But we love it, and everyone I've made it thoroughly enjoys it also.

Ingredients:
  • 1-2 heads of romaine lettuce (or any other kind)
  • 1/2 c. red grapes, halved
  • 3/4 c. cashew halves
  • 1 T. melted butter
  • 1 t. fresh rosemary
  • 1 t. curry powder
  • 1 T. brown sugar
  • 1/2 t. salt (unless the cashews are already salted)
  • 1/2 t. cayenne pepper
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped OR bacon bits (optional)

Dressing:
  • 3 T. vinegar
  • 3 T. Dijon mustard
  • 2 T. honey
  • 1/2 c. olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Toast chashews in a dry skillet over medium-high heat, until golden brown. Remove from pan to a separate and cooler location.
2. Cook bacon until crisp. Chop and set aside.
3. Mix the melted butter, curry, sugar, cayenne, salt (if needed), cashews and rosemary- shake it up in a tupperware for added ease and storage. If you do not have fresh rosemary, you can use the dried spice in half the amount. (Any recipe that calls for fresh herbs usually calls for twice the amount of its dried counterpart. For example, 2 t. of fresh **** = 1 t. of dried ****). However, I recommend fresh rosemary because it's not so poky in the mouth, and we don't want you spitting out your unmasticated rosemary; that would be bad table manners.
4. Now it's time for the dressing. I've used those dressing containers, but I find that this method works best: a bowl and whisk. So, with that being said, stir together the vinegar, mustard and honey. Then, slowly whisk in the oil. Add salt and pepper according to your taste.
5. Toss the greens, grapes and bacon and top with the tasty nut ensemble. Serve the dressing on the side to be added according to everyone's preference.
6. Let your tastebuds acclimate to the different, yet harmonious and exotic flavors that will be parading around in your mouth.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

This is seriously my favorite salad. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Unknown said...

This is Jo not Ryan. Oops.