Dressed Baby Gem Salad Recipes

LITTLE GEM SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Still whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in both oils and continue to whisk until the dressing is completely emulsified. (Alternatively, place all the vinaigrette ingredients in a small jar, screw on the lid, and shake until completely emulsified.)
• In a large bowl, gently toss the lettuce, parsley, dill, radishes, shallot, chives, and walnuts.
• Drizzle the salad greens with the walnut vinaigrette and gently toss again. Season with salt and pepper and toss one last time, making sure each leaf is coated with the vinaigrette. Taste and add more vinaigrette or salt and pepper, if needed. (If you have leftover vinaigrette, you can refrigerate it in a lidded jar for up to several days.)
• Transfer the salad to a large platter or serving bowl. Using a vegetable peeler, shave strips of ricotta salata over the top. Finish, if desired, with a drizzle of walnut oil. Serve immediately.

LITTLE GEM SALAD WITH HORSERADISH DRESSING

Steps:

• Heat 1/2 cup vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons capers (patted dry) and fry until crisp, about 2 minutes. Remove with a spoon; drain on paper towels. Toss 1 minced small shallot with 2 teaspoons lemon juice in a large bowl; let sit 10 minutes, then whisk in 1/2 cup creme fraiche, 2 tablespoons horseradish (drained), 1 teaspoon each lemon zest, Dijon mustard and kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Add 4 small heads Little Gem lettuce and 2 heads red endive (leaves separated), 1 cup sugar snap peas (strings removed and sliced), 6 thinly sliced radishes and 1/3 cup chopped dill; toss. Top with the fried capers.

DRESSED BABY GEM SALAD

Steps:

• Put the lettuce leaves in a bowl.
• For the dressing: mix together the vinegar, oil, mustard powder, salt and pepper.
• Drizzle the dressing over the gem salad and serve.

SUMMER SALAD WITH ANCHOVY DRESSING

Steps:

• Bring a large pan of water to the boil. Cook the beans for 4 mins, so they still have a slight crunch, then scoop out with a slotted spoon into a colander and cool quickly with cold water. Tip the potatoes into the pan, add the eggs and simmer everything for 8 mins. Lift out the eggs, then leave to cool while the potatoes cook for 2 more mins until tender. Drain the potatoes.
• For the dressing, mash the anchovies with the side of a knife, then mix with the vinegar and olive oil in a large bowl. Stir in the beans, potatoes, olives and tomatoes. Peel and halve the eggs. Put the leaves into a large serving bowl, add the potato mix and eggs, then serve.

DRESSED LITTLE GEMS

Steps:

• Mix the oil and vinegar with a generous pinch of salt (preferably flakes) to make the dressing.
• Pack the lettuce into a plastic food container with ice to keep it fresh. Take the dressing and cheese into smaller containers. Arrange the lettuce on a platter, drizzle with the dressing and scatter with the cheese.