Texas Farmer’s Salad with Blackberry Lavender Vinaigrette
Servings 4 salads, with extra dressing
Calories 1003kcal
Ingredients
- 1 package Spring Mix or other tender local greens
- 1 Haas avocado the big avocados
- 1- pint blackberries
- 4 oz package of Goat Cheese
- 1 ½ c. Local nuts – My favorites are candied pecans for a sweeter salad and shelled pistachios for a savory salad
- 1 container or bundle of fresh chives optional
- Blackberry Lavender Vinaigrette:
- 1/3 c. balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 of the pint of blackberries
- ¾ t. salt
- dash freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 T Shallot minced
- ½ t. Lavender Buds optional
- 1 small clove garlic minced
- 1 T honey
- Juice of half a small lemon
- ½ c. fresh oil
Instructions
- For the Vinaigrette: In a small saucepan combine the balsamic vinegar, blackberries, the salt and pepper, lavender, and minced shallot. Bring to a simmer and cook 3-4 min.
- Turn down the heat and pour into a blender. Add the honey, minced garlic, and the juice of half a lemon. Put the top on and turn the blender on low. Slowly drizzle in the oil. Turn the blender up to high for 20 seconds. Use a spoon to sample the dressing and season to taste.
- Place the spring mix lettuce on 4 plates and sprinkle with crumbled goat cheese, nuts, and freshly minced or snipped chives. Sprinkle the remaining cup of blackberries on top.
- For the avocado, remove the skins from the avocado. Dice the avocado into bite-sized chunks and add to the salads.
- Drizzle with vinaigrette and serve.
Notes
Bonus: Balsamic & Cinnamon Candied Pecans- My favorite way to candy pecans is to toast them in a 325-degree oven just until fragrant on a buttered foil-lined baking sheet. When they just begin to become fragrant (about 10 minutes) I microwave a small cup of brown sugar and balsamic vinegar until warm and saucy and drizzle them with the mixture. I finish by sprinkling with salt and cinnamon and put them in a child-free area to harden. Yum!
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 1003kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 80g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 63g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 918mg | Fiber: 20g | Sugar: 31g