Ensalada Mixta - Spanish Mixed Green Salad

 

Lisa & Tony Sierra adapted by Michael McCabe

Servings: 8

 

Notes:

 

In Spain, a green salad is almost always on the table at mealtime. When dining out at a restaurant or perhaps preparing a special meal at home, an "ensalada mixta" or a colorful, mixed green salad is served on a large platter in the center of the table. This salad usually includes a mix of ingredients that Americans may find surprising, such as olives, tuna and white asparagus, as well as tomatoes and onions. Easy to prepare, it is as tasty as it is attractive. Try it at your next dinner gathering!

 

Note: Don't worry if you are missing one of the ingredients! Each family in Spain has their own version of ensalada mixta, so it is slightly different in every household.

 

Cuisine: Spanish

 

Categories: Salad, Salad Dressing, Served Room Temp, Vegan, Vegetable

 

Source: spanishfood.about.com, 2007

 

Copyright: 2008

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2 large eggs, hard boiled, peeled and cut into quarters

2 heads hearts of romaine

2 large vine-ripen tomatoes, cut into 8 pieces

1 english cucumber, peeled and sliced

1 medium red onion, sliced thin

1 large red bell pepper, cut into thin strips

1 large carrot, grated

1 (6-ounce can) tuna in oil, well drained

1 (15-ounce jar) white asparagus

1 (15-ounce can) baby corn, drained

1 (15-ounce can) artichoke hearts, drained

1/2 cup anchovy stuffed manzanilla olives

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1/4 pound murcia cheese, cut into small cubes

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1/4 cup sherry vinegar

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon chopped shallot

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

1 tablespoon chopped fresh marjoram

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

2 teaspoons dijon mustard

"to taste" kosher salt

"to taste" freshly ground black pepper

3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

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Hardware

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large platter

blender

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     Hard boil the eggs. Allow to cool in cold water. Then, peel and cut into quarters, or slice in thick slices.

 

     Cut the lettuce head in half. Rinse the lettuce under cold water and allow to drain. While lettuce is draining, cut the tomatoes. Peel and slice cucumbers and slice the onions and slice the red bell pepper. Grate the carrot.

 

     Open the cans of the other ingredients and drain each one.

 

     Break up the lettuce into small pieces for a salad. Make a bed of lettuce on a large platter. On top of the bed, place the tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, peppers and carrots. Then spread out the tuna around the bed of lettuce, breaking it up into small chunks with a fork first. Place the egg slices, asparagus, olives and baby corn ears and artichoke hearts on top.

 

     Combine sherry vinegar and next 9 ingredients in a blender; blend 1 minute or until pureed. With blender running, slowly pour in olive oil in a steady stream. Process 30 seconds or until emulsified. Cover and chill; whisk before serving.

 

     Just before serving, dress the salad and sprinkle murcia cubes over the salad. Serve extra dressing on the side.

 

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