Baby Greens with Mediterranean Vinaigrette
This is such a flavorful salad, the vinaigrette brings all the flavors together, and the spinach, dried cranberries and cheddar cheese are perfectly delicious with this tasty dressing.
Ingredients
For the vinaigrette: | |||
½ | teaspoon |
mustard seeds, black
|
|
¼ | teaspoon |
coriander
ground |
* |
⅛ | teaspoon |
cumin
ground |
* |
½ | cup |
carrot juice
|
* |
2 | tablespoons |
golden raisins
seedless |
|
2 | tablespoons |
red wine vinegar
|
|
4 | each |
cilantro
sprigs, fresh |
* |
1 | tablespoon |
yogurt, plain
nonfat |
|
1 | teaspoon |
honey
|
|
1 ½ | teaspoons |
red pepper flakes
|
|
¼ | teaspoon |
salt
|
|
1 | x |
black pepper
freshly ground to taste |
* |
¼ | cup |
olive oil
|
|
For the croutons: | |||
1 ½ | cups |
whole wheat bread
cubed |
* |
1 | tablespoon |
olive oil
|
|
For the salad: | |||
½ | small |
garlic cloves
|
* |
1 | pinch |
salt
|
* |
4 | cups |
baby spinach
baby beet greens or baby chard |
* |
¼ | cup |
cranberries, dried
|
* |
¼ | cup |
cheddar cheese
shredded, prefer smoked |
Directions
For the vinaigrette:
Heat mustard seeds, coriander and cumin in a small dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.
Stir in carrot juice and simmer over medium heat until reduced by half, about 3 minutes.
Put raisins in a blender and add the hot juice.
Let stand for 5 minutes to plump the raisins.
Then put in vinegar, cilantro, yogurt, honey, crushed red pepper, ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper and blend until combined.
Pour in ¼ cup oil and blend until smooth, about 1 minute.
For the croutons:
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Toss bread and 1 tablespoon oil in a medium bowl until well combined.
Spread in a single layer on a large baking sheet.
Bake, stirring once, until golden and crisp, about 14 minutes.
For the salad:
Season a salad bowl by rubbing with garlic.
Chop the garlic and add to the bowl along with greens.
Pour ¼ cup of the vinaigrette over the greens. (Cover and refrigerate the remaining ½ cup vinaigrette for up to 3 days.)
Sprinkle the salad with cranberries, cheese and the croutons, toss and serve.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 43g (1.5 oz)