la salade des dieux.

the following post will either make me out to be a complete kitchen/foodie nerd or extremely pretentious. and maybe if i'm lucky, both. but that's a risk i'm willing to take because i just made the most amazing salad, which i have humbly dubbed the salad of the gods.



tuesday seems to be 'use up as much random food as possible before it spoils day', so when i wandered into the kitchen to make dinner i wasn't expecting much. but when i opened the fridge and saw a head of lettuce, half a granny smith apple, half a red onion, and some goat cheese, i had a light bulb moment. these are all the makings for a wonderful salad. so i got to work. it was more labor intensive than i'd like for a week night, but it was definitely worth it. i caramelized the red onion in a balsamic/red wine reduction. then caramelized the apples in some brown sugar and cinnamon. then gingerly poured the goopy concoctions over a bed of lettuce sprinkled with pecans and crumbled goat cheese, which happened to have red peppers in it. then, just for an extra protein kick, i topped it with a poached egg.

i don't normally fall head over heels for a salad with warm toppings but this was definitely an exception, perhaps even a new rule. i also have the bias that salads are light and dainty and never substantial enough to form a meal, but this combination is definitely filling and satisfying. the flavors may be a bit much for some, but it was just what i love. several very strong flavors precariously balanced together that just explode in your mouth as if one bite would be enough to explore the complex world in the bowl, but one is never enough. salty/tangy cheese, nutty pecans, crisp lettuce, sweet apples and onions, and tangy balsamic. it went perfectly with some crispy roasted garlic sourdough i had stored away in the freezer.

if you'd like to make this salad, which oh my god why wouldn't you?, i've tried to recreate it in recipe form below. i was completely free forming, so feel free to do the same, it's all guesstimates anyways.

the salad of the gods:

serves 2, prep time about 10 minutes, cook time 20 minutes

4 cups lettuce of preference, torn
3 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup chopped pecans

for the onions:
1 tbls. olive oil
1/2 red onion sliced thinly
1 clove garlic, minced
6 tbls. balsamic vinegar
a splash of red wine
1 tbls. brown sugar
salt and pepper to taste

for the apples:
1 tbls. olive oil
1/2 granny smith apple, cubed
1/8 cup water
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbls. butter
sprinkle of cinnamon

2 eggs {optional}

separate the lettuce into 2 bowls, making sure it is torn into manageable {ie: bite size} pieces. divide the pecans and cheese evenly and sprinkle on top of lettuce.

heat 1 tbls. olive oil over high heat in sauce pan. add red onion. cook, stirring until lightly browned. lower heat to medium, and add garlic, balsamic vinegar, wine, sugar, salt and pepper. let simmer, stirring occasionally until liquid reduces and is a syrupy consistency. remove from pan and set aside.

in same pan, heat 1 tbls. olive oil over high heat. add apples and cook until browned. add water and cook briefly until apples start to soften. reduce heat to medium and add brown sugar, butter and cinnamon. let simmer, stirring occasionally until liquid reduces and is a syrupy consistency. remove from pan and set aside.

in clean pan, poach or fry eggs just until cooked, while yolk remains soft.

while eggs are cooking, spoon the onions and balsamic mixture over the lettuce {the liquid acts as the dressing}. do the same with the apples. then top with egg.

eat while warm and enjoy!