Description
A crisp and flavorful Blue Cheese, Walnut, and Chicory Salad featuring toasted walnuts, tangy dressings, and a mix of radicchio and Belgian endive for a perfect balance of bitterness and creaminess. This quick, easy salad is perfect for any occasion and highlights the bold flavors of blue cheese combined with crunchy walnuts and fresh chicory.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 head radicchio
- 4 heads Belgian endive
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
Dressing Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 6 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Toast the Walnuts: Toast the chopped walnuts in a dry pan over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently until they become fragrant and lightly browned. Once toasted, transfer them to a plate to cool completely.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, rice vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and freshly ground black pepper. Gradually whisk in the olive oil until the dressing is emulsified and smooth, coating the back of a spoon. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Prepare the Chicory: Remove any wilted outer leaves from the radicchio and Belgian endives. Cut the radicchio in half, remove the core, and chop it into 1-inch pieces. Trim the root ends from the endives, reserving some whole leaves for garnish, and chop the remaining endives into ½-inch pieces.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped radicchio and endive. Add half of the toasted walnuts and half of the crumbled blue cheese. Pour the prepared dressing over the mixture and toss gently to evenly coat everything.
- Assemble and Serve: On a serving platter, arrange the reserved whole endive leaves as a base. Mound the dressed salad mixture on top, then sprinkle the remaining toasted walnuts and crumbled blue cheese over the salad. Serve immediately to enjoy the refreshing crunch and rich flavors.
Notes
- Use walnuts that are fresh for the best flavor and crisp texture after toasting.
- Adjust the amount of blue cheese to taste, depending on how strong you prefer the cheese flavor.
- Serve immediately after tossing to keep the greens crisp and prevent wilting.
- Substitute walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different nutty flavor if desired.
- For a milder dressing, reduce the amount of balsamic vinegar or add a small amount of honey for sweetness.
