Creole Autumn Salad Recipes

LOUISIANA SUNBURST SALAD (CREOLE)

Steps:

• Soak cranberries overnight in the port wine.
• The next morning, in a large mixing bowl, add oil, water, vinegar, Tabasco, cinnamon & sugar, & whisk until emulsified.
• Add the lettuces & toss, then season with salt & pepper.
• Divide the greens among 4 plates & garnish each with crumbled cheese, cranberries & almonds.

CREOLE CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• To prepare croutons, heat the oil in a large nonstick saute pan over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add the bread cubes, stirring and tossing in the pan to evenly coat the bread with the oil. Sprinkle in the Cajun seasoning while stirring continuously. Toast for 5 minutes, until golden brown. Reserve for garnishing the salad.
• To make the dressing, place the anchovy and garlic into a food processor, cover, and pulse on and off several times. Add the egg, and, with the motor running, slowly add the vegetable and olive oils. Add the cheese, mustard, lemon and lime juices, water, Cajun seasoning, pepper, and salt; process briefly until ingredients are incorporated. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• In a large bowl, toss romaine with the dressing, allowing approximately 3 tablespoons of the dressing per serving. Serve on chilled salad plates; top with croutons and additional Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl until thoroughly mixed. Store in an airtight container. The spice mix keeps its best flavor for about two months.

CREOLE TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• To prepare salad, alternate tomato and onion slices on a platter. Sprinkle with salt. Top with mint and chives.
• To prepare vinaigrette, combine oil, vinegar, mustard and garlic in a jar. Cover tightly; shake vigorously.
• Drizzle vinaigrette over salad and serve it at room temperature.

CREOLE SALAD

Steps:

• Coarsely chop the tomatoes, green pepper and olives.
• Whisk together the remaining ingredients.
• Toss with vegetables.

CREOLE CAESAR SALAD WITH CORN BREAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• For the salad:
• Place half the fried okra in a large bowl and add the romaine, corn, corn bread, tomatoes, cucumber, and onion. Add the dressing and toss until well coated.
• Divide the salad among six serving plates and top evenly with the remaining okra. Serve immediately.
• For the Creole Caesar dressing:
• In a small saucepan, combine the oil, garlic, and onion. Cook over low heat until the garlic and onion are golden and tender, about 15 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the garlic and onion to a food processor; reserve the oil.
• Add the vinegar, bell pepper, celery, sugar, cayenne, mayonnaise, Parmesan, and a pinch each of salt and black pepper to the food processor. Pulse until smooth. With the machine running, add the oil in a thin stream and process until emulsified. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

CREOLE SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• To prepare, macerate the minced garlic in the extra virgin olive oil for at least 15 minutes, preferably while preparing the remaining ingredients. Set aside.
• In a skillet, preferably non-stick, render the fat from the bacon over medium heat. This will take about 5-10 minutes. When the bits of bacon are cooked, remove them and set aside, leaving the hot fat in the pan.
• Add the celery, onion, and green pepper and saute until the onions become translucent. Retaining as much of the extra virgin olive oil as possible, add the minced garlic and saute until the garlic turns light brown on the edges.
• Add the andouille sausage and saute until browned. Add the cilantro, balsamic vinegar, and molasses and stir.
• Wile the liquids reduce, prepare a salad bowl or serving platter with a bed of the spinach greens. Layer the lump crab meat, slivered almonds, and feta cheese over the spinach. Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add the remaining extra virgin olive oil to the hot skilled and spoon it over the salad to serve.