Skip to main content
Epicurious
Bon Appétit

Arugula Salad with Manchego, Apples, and Caramelized Walnuts

4.7

(99)

Linda Forst of Mukilteo, Washington, writes: "I attended a conference in Anaheim, California, and went to dinner at Catal Restaurant & Uva Bar in Downtown Disney. The whole meal was outstanding, especially the 'compressed salad.'"

For a "compressed" presentation, the chef uses a three-inch ring mold to mound the salad in the center of each plate. You can use a cleaned-out can, with top and bottom removed, as a mold.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup walnut oil
3 tablespoons Champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar
8 cups arugula
2 Red Delicious or Fuji apples, unpeeled, cored, thinly sliced
6 ounces Spanish Manchego cheese or sharp white cheddar cheese, shaved
1 1/2 cups pitted dates, sliced
1 cup Caramelized Walnuts
4 large shallots, minced

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Boil balsamic vinegar in small saucepan over medium-high heat until syrupy and reduced to 1/4 cup, about 4 minutes.

    Step 2

    Whisk oil and Champagne vinegar in bowl. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Keep at room temperature. Rewarm balsamic syrup before using. Rewhisk vinaigrette before using.)

    Step 3

    Toss arugula, apples, half of cheese, dates, walnuts, and shallots in large bowl with enough vinaigrette to coat. Season salad with salt and pepper.

    Step 4

    Mound salad in center of each plate. Drizzle balsamic syrup around salads. Sprinkle remaining cheese atop salads.

TagsSaladArugulaLeafy GreensVegetableAppleFruitManchegoCheeseDairyDateDried FruitWalnutNutShallotSideStarterLunchDinnerGluten FreeVegetarianQuickEasySimmerBon Appétit
Read More
The Only Frittata Recipe You’ll Ever Need
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Chickpea Tachin With Herb Salad
The golden, crunchy corners are worth fighting over.
Baked Cheddar and Leek Pasta
Not stuffed shells. But not not stuffed shells either.
Caramelized Onion Pasta
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
29 Spring Pastas to Make the Most of Seasonal Produce
Like spicy carrot rigatoni and weeknight-fancy ravioli with peas.
Broccoli Confetti Rice
A veg-forward main or gets-along-with-everyone side.
13 Types of Nuts and How to Cook With Them
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
How to Thaw Fish Fast
The most efficient method takes less than an hour, but you might not even need it.