Hazels Apple Salad Recipes

HEARTS OF ROMAINE SALAD WITH APPLES, CHEESE AND HAZELNUTS

Steps:

• Vinaigrette: In a container, whisk together the vinegars, sugar, sweet mustard, salt and vanilla. Whisk in the oil. Makes a generous 1 cup of vinaigrette.
• Salad: Arrange the romaine on individual salad plates.
• To prepare the peeled and cored apples, cut each half into 1/4-inch thick slices, then cut each slice into thirds.
• Place the apples in a small bowl and toss with enough of the vinaigrette to coat the pieces. You can prepare the apple mixture up to an hour ahead. Important: If you coat the apples with the dressing any longer than that, they will absorb too much of the vinaigrette, which overwhelms the apple flavor.
• Divide the apple mixture among the salads. Top each serving with a portion of the cheese and then a portion of the hazelnuts.
• Drizzle an extra bit of the vinaigrette over the greens and around the edges of the salad. Serve.
• Alternatively: Instead of hearts of Romaine lettuce, consider a mixture of baby spinach, hearts of Romaine and/or other mixed young greens. You could also substitute feta or white cheddar, aged gouda, etc. for the blue cheese.
• Another serving option would be to assemble the entire salad on a large platter instead of individual salad plates.

CELERY ROOT AND APPLE SALAD WITH HAZELNUT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For vinaigrette:
• Whisk first 5 ingredients in small bowl. Whisk in 1/4 cup hazelnut oil and olive oil.
• For salad:
• Combine celery root, fennel, and apple in large bowl. Toss with vinaigrette. Top with Parmesan. Drizzle with additional hazelnut oil, if desired.

KALE SALAD WITH BRUSSELS SPROUTS, APPLES, AND HAZELNUTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Place hazelnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and toast 8-10 minutes, tossing once or twice, until fragrant and skins have blistered. Bundle nuts in a kitchen towel and rub vigorously to remove skins. Spread out and let cool, then coarsely chop. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, whisk lemon juice, mustard, shallot, garlic, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper in a medium bowl, then whisk in oil in a slow, steady stream. Set aside.
• Mix together kale and Brussels sprouts in a large mixing bowl. Add about 3/4 of the dressing, and use your hands to massage dressing into greens. Taste and add more dressing as needed (you may not need all of it). Reserve any leftover dressing for another use.
• Add cheese, apple, and half of the radishes; toss together to combine, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl, and top with nuts and remaining radishes.
• Do ahead
• Dressing can be prepared 3 days ahead; cover and chill. Nuts can be toasted and chopped 1 day ahead; cover and keep at room temperature. Kale and Brussels sprouts can be sliced 1 day ahead; place in an airtight container and chill. Salad can be tossed together 30 minutes ahead; keep at room temperature.

TOASTED HAZELNUT SALAD WITH DRIED CRANBERRIES AND HAZELNUT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan heat 2 teaspoons olive oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and cook shallots, stirring, until golden brown. Stir in cranberries, 3 tablespoons vinegar, water, and sugar and simmer mixture, stirring occasionally, until syrupy, about 4 minutes. Transfer mixture to a bowl and cool to room temperature.
• In a small skillet heat 1 teaspoon olive oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and cook hazelnuts with salt and pepper to taste, stirring, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer nuts to a plate and cool.
• In a small bowl whisk together mustard and remaining tablespoon vinegar with salt and pepper to taste. In a stream whisk in hazelnut oil and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil until emulsified.
• In a large bowl toss greens with just enough dressing to coat and divide among 6 plates. Sprinkle salads with cranberry mixture and hazelnuts. Serve salad with soup as a main course or align as a first course.