Thursday, May 28, 2009

5/29 Foodie Friday

FoodieFridayLogo25Gollum at Designs by Gollum is the hostess for “Foodie Friday” (clicking on the logo on the right will take you to her site)

Today I am going to share one of my favorite salads….. Blue Cheese Pecan Chopped Salad. The first time I had it was at Outback Steakhouse (restaurant). It was delicious…so, of course, I had to try to make it home! It sounds “involved” to make…but it is worth it…because it is delicious!

 

Blue Cheese Pecan Chopped Salad

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Ingredients

Candied cinnamon pecans

  • 1/3 cup sliced-lengthwise pecans
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons butter, melted

Blue cheese vinaigrette

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar or champagne vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • salt & freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

Salad

  • 3 cups chopped bibb lettuce or butter lettuce
  • 3 cups chopped red leaf lettuce
  • 3 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
  • 1 green onion, chopped

Directions

Candied cinnamon pecans

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Slice each pecan half into three lengthwise pieces.
  • Mix together the cinnamon and brown sugar.
  • Toss pecans with melted butter, then with the cinnamon/sugar mixture, tossing well to ensure a thorough coating.
  • Put the nuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 5 to 8 minutes, until sugar is caramelized.
  • Remove the baking sheet from the oven, slide the parchment together with the nuts off the sheet to cool, and set aside.

Blue cheese vinaigrette

  • Whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients.

Salad

  • Chop the lettuces into smallish bite-sized pieces
  • Slice the green onion.
  • Place the chopped lettuce in a large serving bowl (one large enough to toss the salad in).
  • Add the vinaigrette and toss thoroughly to coat.
  • Sprinkle with the chopped onion.
  • Break the cooled pecan slices apart and sprinkle them over the salad.
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47 comments:

  1. This sounds similar to a baby bleu salad I do but my pecans do not have cinnamon. I bet that adds a zip with the bleu cheese. This sounds like a winner! Thanks!

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  2. Oh yummy! You must come on over to my June event starting June 6th Summer Salad Saturdays and share this! I want it right now. Never mind that it is 10:30 at night and I should be in bed!!!

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  3. This sounds really good -- I love anything with bleu cheese.

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  4. Yum! I am so into salads lately! Must be a summer thing :-)

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  5. I am not a bleu cheese fan but those candied cinnamon pecans I could definitely go for....yummy!

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  6. Ooo I love candied nuts in salads mmmm.

    All the best,
    Allison

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  7. Oh yummm! This sounds so delicious that I'm hungry now & I just ate! ♥ Diane

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  8. This really looks wonderful; I love anything made with blue cheese so I'm sure we'll be tasting this in the near furture. Have a wonderful day.

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  9. Pecans and blue cheese could make cardboard something to eat! LOL

    Thanks for sharing.

    Charla

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  10. Hi Susan, We are big fans of bleu cheese around here so I definitely need to try this great sounding salad. Happy F. F. to you!!

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  11. I am drooling over my keyboard reading your recipe. Sounds Delicious!!

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  12. That looks so good, but what I really want to make is the candied pecans!! None of that healthy stuff for me. laurie

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  13. This looks really good, Susan. We have Outback up here but I don't recall this salad. Maybe some of their food is regional. It is not common for us to use nuts or sweet things so much in our green salads. Sooo, I have something new to try and try out on everyone else!! Since Libby Murphy has crowned me an Honorary Southern Belle, I can tell everyone it is an old Southern recipe I picked up recently!! ;-)

    Have a wonderful weekend, Susan!

    xoxo
    Jane

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  14. This is a perfect recipe for the hot summer months! I just had a salad with blue cheese for dinner, I can't wait to try this recipe. Thanks!

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  15. Susan,
    Mmmm! Look delicious! Want to express my thanks for stopping by and sweet comments....cant' wait to share the Outdoor Wednesday...see ya then...By the way....How did you find me on facebook....I have relatives in Alanta, GA...sMALL WORLD! GOD IS BIG! Have a bless weekends...Katherinllen

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  16. The candied pecans sound excellent, plus my husband has been wanting me to look for a good blu cheese dressing. Thanks!!!

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  17. Wow, Susan! That looks really delicious. Thanks for this recipe.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  18. Yum! I've got to print out this recipe! Delish! Linda

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  19. Wow Susan! That looks great!!!! I will definitely try this. :D Jewel

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  20. Susan
    I have never had this salad but oh dear its so yummy sounding and looking. I love the pecan topping idea and the also the vinaigrette with the blue cheese. Really yummy..mmmm..
    I will definately give this a try. Marc and my eldest son Geoff love blue cheese too.
    thank you for sharing
    have a great Friday
    Judi

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  21. Sounds great, Susan...thanks so much.

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  22. That looks really delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!
    so yummy!

    xoxooxx

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  23. Oh goodness, this looks delicious! I love salad, especially in the hot summer months. I'll definitely be trying this.

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  24. That does look wonderful! No wonder it's your favorite. Anything with the word "Candy" in it and sugar, count me in! LOL

    Have a great weekend!

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  25. That looks delicious, Susan..Perfect for summer..
    Thanks for sharing the recipe!

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  26. Yum.....I love candied pecans!

    Have a great weekend!
    Nola

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  27. I love salads, and this looks wonderful! I like blue cheese a lot too.

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  28. Oh, that does look and sound so good. A great salad to come before my balsamic strawberries! I can't wait to make this. I bet it would be good with gorgonzola too.

    amy@maisonbelle

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  29. Now that's sounds tasty. I love to prepare salads throughout the summer months and this is a must have. Thanks for sharing!

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  30. Yummy, I love salads! Those pecans sound fabulous, I definitely have to give them a try!

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  31. This sounds delicious. I tried blue cheese dressing over ten years ago on a trip to the US and have loved it ever since. Thankyou for sharing this tasty little number ;)

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  32. I'm looking at all these delicious Foodie Friday post right at lunch time when I'm hungry*! Looks good*! _Ashley ~

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  33. Yowza, that is quite a bit of work for a salad. But I bet it is worth it!

    Justine :o )

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  34. Love salads Susan and especially Blue cheese. Thanks for sharing.

    Have a blessed weekend.
    ~Melissa :)

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  35. I like a good chop salad and this sounds great for the summer. I like to make my sugared nuts in advance so when I need them I can just toss them into the recipe. Thanks for sharing.
    Joyce

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  36. Your salad looks delicious! I love salad and this sounds like one that could become a favorite!
    ~Smiles~
    Mona

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  37. This looks like something my husband will love. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

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  38. This sounds SO good! I love any kind of pecan salad. Nutritious too. Need to make this one!
    Brenda

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  39. Put bleu cheese on it, and I'd eat a Jeep. Well, maybe not a Jeep.... but this salad looks spectacular! I'm going to have to try this -- especially with the roasted flavored pecans...what a great touch!
    thanks!
    Cass

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  40. Susan, You're right it, it's a lot of work, but is sure sounds worth it. ~ Robyn

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  41. Susan... I am over here smacking my lips at the mere thought of this yummy goodness gracing my tummy with it's presence. :) It sound soooo good! I may have to try this one!

    xoxoxoxoxo
    Donna Marie

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  42. Have you tried the Citrus chicken salad from Claim Jumpers? It is very similar...it has the bleu cheese and pecans but also mandarin orange slices, dried cranberries, golden raisins, chopped green apples, avocados, broiled chicken and a yummy citrus dressing. It is my favorite!

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  43. Dr. Gollum loves blue cheese--this looks so delicious! I am slowly getting together an Outdoor Wednesday--I am just shocked how dirty my porches are! Can't decorate till I sweep and sweep.
    Hugs,
    G

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  44. Man this looks good! I'm going to have to try this one!

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Thank you for stopping by my blog and taking the time to comment! I enjoy reading all your thoughts and will try to answer any questions you might have for me. Have a wonderful day....hope to "see"you again soon!