I used to think salad was boring. More boring than watching the Super Bowl. That changed when I started making dressing from scratch and adding "star" ingredients. I love fruity salads. In the winter, it's mostly apples or pears. Now that citrus is abundant, oranges or grapefruit. This salad features the seasonal object of my culinary affection: blood oranges. As Emeril says, BAM, the citrus flavor gives you a big punch in the taste buds.
Blood Orange Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette
Assemble your favorite greens--use something bold-- prepare the citrus (I used blood and cara cara oranges), and then make the dressing. Also consider adding something for crunch. I used chopped pistachios.
Dressing
1/2 cup champagne vinegar
1 teaspoon orange zest
juice of one cara cara or navel orange (look for a sweet orange)
1 teaspoon honey
2 teaspoons minced shallot
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
sprinkle of salt and pepper to taste
This makes enough dressing for a large salad. If making a smaller salad, reduce the dressing based on 2:1 oil to vinegar ratio.
