When chocolate was announced as this month’s theme, I thought “not for me“. I’m a savory gal. But I hated to miss out on the challenge and the opportunity to shake up the pages of FOODalogue which have lain dormant for a month.
So, I played a game of “what if?” employing my usual methodology … whatever was on-hand.
The ingredients presented here created a flavorful and perfectly balanced salad. It was fresh and elegant enough to serve at a dinner party.
Salad Ingredients: Fresh hand-picked spinach, scallions, Medjool Dates, creamy blue cheese, crumbled bacon, slivered almonds.
Vinaigrette: White balsamic glaze, lemon juice, grated fresh ginger, ground red peppercorns, a mashed dark chocolate candy with a liquid coffee filling from Poland (it was in my Xmas stocking). Everything was whisked together and left to sit a bit.
Finishing Touch: Shavings from a Modica chocolate bar (brought back from my trip to Sicily this past October).
NOTE: The age of the chocolates speaks to how long they last in my kitchen. While I like chocolate (only dark), I don’t crave it and it can sit for a while. Next month, it’s bourbon and that presents an even bigger challenge. Not something I drink, Not something I have in my home bar.
Liz
says on:Looks great and sounds yummy!
sandra axelrod
says on:Your recipes are always so creative!
sandra axelrod recently posted..Dating and Weight Loss
Joan Nova
says on:Kind of you to say — it’s the creative process that keeps me interested and, of course, the end result!
Victoria of Flavors of the Sun
says on:Chocolate Vinaigrette? What’s not to love? Having lived in Mexico for so long, I am long accustomed to finding chocolate in savory dishes (moles, hot chocolate with chiles, etc), and love it that way. As ever, Joan, you inspire.
Joan Nova
says on:Thank you.
Sally - My Custard Pie
says on:Joan – my tastebuds and your tastebuds would get on …. so to speak! I’m a savoury person, prefer dark chocolate … and yes it lasts ages in my kitchen. I would never have thought of putting chocolate in a salad – totally intrigued. Yay to blue cheese. Happy New Year.
Joan Nova
says on:Thanks. So nice to hear from you.
Norma
says on:Your always surprising. This salad is a must to try.
Norma recently posted..GALAKTOBOUREKO – GREEK CUSTARD PIE
Joan Nova
says on:Thank you Norma. Looking forward to seeing what you do!
angela@spinachtiger
says on:I love this idea. And, it would be good with the dates. I once shaved white chocolate on a salad that had berries. Divine. I still want to post that eggplant chocolate some day! I would love to peek inside that Chocolates from Sicily book too.
Joan Nova
says on:Thanks Angela.