Ben and I enjoyed ourselvesĀ immenselyĀ this past 4th of July weekend!Ā Like, iiiimmensely which means I’m soooo ready toĀ get back on track with the help ofĀ Earth Bowl Salads with Smokey Candied Walnuts and Basil Vinaigrette.
This salad is a masterpiece. Mixed greens are topped with Smokey Candied Walnuts, creamy white cheddar cheese, cherry tomatoes, and spicy roasted broccoli and sweet corn. Then it’s drizzled with an easy homemade basil vinaigrette. Tastes ultra decadent but eating healthyĀ has never been this bigĀ of a treat.
I’ve been wanting to share this summery salad recipe for months after spying it on the sweetgreen menu in DC when we visited earlier this spring. While sweetgreen’s versionĀ includes spicy broccoli and corn, white cheddar cheese, and tomatoes, I decided to add in crispy, Smokey Candied Walnuts for a boost of protein and burst of flavor using Fisher Nuts, whom I’ve been developing recipes for this year. It was a fabulous addition. So fabulous that Ben asked for more when he was done.
MORE. SALAD! Total win!
This salad was substantial enough for us forĀ dinner,Ā on account of theĀ cheese and walnuts, but feel free to add grilled chicken or shrimp on top. Anything more would just enhance the yummy flavor. Dig in, people!
Start by making the Smokey Candied Walnuts, which is just a fancy nameĀ for 3/4 cup Fisher Walnut Halves and Pieces tossed withĀ 1 Tablespoon honey, 1/2 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (CAN’T STOP WON’T STOP) and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
The sweetness from the honey and smokiness from the smoked paprika is an absolutely killer combo!
Spread the walnuts out on a silpat or parchment paper-lined baking sheet then bake for 4-5 minutes at 350 degrees or until they’re golden brown. Give ’em a good stir then let ’em cool. Don’t worry, they’ll crisp as they cool.
Next turnĀ the oven up to 400 degrees then toss fresh sweet corn kernels cut from 2 ears of corn (about 1-1/2 cups) and 4 cups broccoli florets with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and red chili pepper flakes.Ā Pop into the oven to roast for 10-12 minute or until golden brown.
When I first saw the term “spicy roasted broccoli” on the sweetgreen menu I was turned off a bit, but the tiny bite of heat is actually awesome!
While the veggies are roasting, whip upĀ a garden-fresh basil vinaigrette. In a food processor or blender add 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, 3 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 Tablespoon honey, salt, and pepper then process while drizzling in 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil. Easy.
And like I said, totally garden fresh. Herb hill is outta control!
This vinaigretteĀ was not only delectable when drizzled over thisĀ salad but it’d make a really good marinade for chicken or shrimp, too. The color is so vibrant.
Finally, divide mixed greens between bowlsĀ then top with the Smokey Candied Walnuts and roasted spicy broccoli and sweet corn. Add cubes of white cheddar cheese, fresh cherry or grape tomatoes, and you’re set!
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Earth Bowl Salads
Description
Earth Bowl Salads with Smokey Candied Walnuts and Basil Vinaigrette combines spicy, sweet, and smokey in one sensational salad!
Ingredients
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- kernels from 2 ears sweet corn (or 1-1/2 cups frozen-than-thawed sweet corn kernels)
- extra virgin olive oil
- red chili pepper flakes
- salt
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 6oz white cheddar cheese, cubed
- 10oz mixed greens
- For the Smokey Candied Walnuts:
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1/2 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup Fisher Walnut Halves and Pieces
- For the Basil Vinaigrette:
- 1/2 cup lightly packed fresh basil
- 3 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Directions
- For the Smokey Candied Walnuts: Preheat oven to 350 degrees then line a baking sheet with a silpat or parchment paper and set aside. AddĀ allĀ ingredients except walnuts to a small bowl then stir to combine. Add walnuts then stir to coat. Spread walnuts outĀ on prepared baking sheet then bake for 4-5 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven then stir and let cool (walnuts will crisp as they cool.)
- Turn oven up to 400 degrees then spray 2 baking sheets with nonstick spray and set aside. Add broccoli to one baking sheet and corn to the other then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, red chili pepper flakes, and salt, then toss with hands to coat. Roast for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Set aside to cool slightly.
- For the Basil Vinaigrette:Ā addĀ all ingredients except extra virgin olive oil to a food processor or blender then pulse to roughly chop the basil. TurnĀ processor on then slowly stream in olive oil.
- Divide lettuce between bowlsĀ then top with roasted broccoli and sweet corn, smokey candied walnuts, white cheddar cheese, tomatoes, and basil dressing.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Happy belated birthday, Kristin!! You’re so young!
I’m so jealous of your herb garden! Heaven. And your patio set is darlingā¦great gift!! Did you hurt the back of your leg?
Thank you so much, Tracy! It’s a birthmark. :)
Happy belated birthday!
Can we just take a moment to talk about the size of the silverware at Malo?!? It’s ginormous! I loved the food, but felt a bit ridiculous with that massive fork in my hand :)
Thanks for the delicious salad recipe! I will give it a try!
Hahaha! I got tacos so I didn’t even notice. I will have to pay attention next time. ;)
Malo has gluten-free options?!!! That just made my week!!
They do – just ask for the gluten-free menu. The owner, George Formaro, is gluten intolerant (doesn’t have CD, but does have an intolerance,) so he has a great GF menu at each of his restaurants!
What is in the pasta salad they y’all had with your birthday meal? It looks so yummy!
It was so good! Just baby spinach, pasta, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, black olives, and Italian dressing.
Your can’t-stop-won’t-stop comment about the smoked paprika is ON. POINT. I am so with you on that one. I made a Lauren’s Latest Easy Tortilla Soup recipe a couple months ago and my fiance and I became obsessed with smoked paprika after that. I find excuses to use it in everything, so I am glad you are finding more for me! :D Loved seeing the photos of your weekend. Happy belated birthday!
Oh my gosh, seriously – soooo good. I’ve been buying regular hummus and dousing it in smoked paprika. It’s my new favorite snack ever!
Yum, this looks like a wonderful salad. I definitely need it too!
An adorable family …..I’m going to give this salad a try!!
i am SO jealous of your herb garden. it’s everything i could ever want in my backyard!
Happy Belated Birthday.
Your salad looks Awesome and very appealing
Happy birthday! It was my birthday too! Best party weekend to have a birthday!
Ahh – happy belated birthday to you!
Oh wow, this salad looks awesome – especially the smokey candied walnuts…YUM! Looks like a great way to eat healthy and actually forget that you’re eating healthy :)
Happy belated birthday! July is a great bday month as mine is on the 23rd. :) Glad you and your family had an awesome 4th weekend! Lincoln is getting so big and as always a handsome little guy!
Happy early birthday!
Thank you! I Love your recipes and blog by the way!
Your backyard looks sooooo beautiful! Do we get a tour one of these days!?!?!
Here’s a pretty good look at it! http://iowagirleats.com/2013/06/25/taco-dip-platter-new-house-tour/
This looks delicious! Is the dressing made without vinegar?
It is, and I just realized I called it a vinaigrette – changed it to dressing! ;)
Thanks for clarifying. I’m looking forward to trying it!
Yum! Love this Kristin – the walnuts look so amazing! I bet I would just end up snacking on them!!
http://youtube.com/addalittlefood
Can I just say that I love your basil-lemon dressing recipes. They’re delicious and so tasty. Nothing beats fresh straight-from-the-garden food.
Also, I might need to take a trip to Madrid, never knew where that bridge was.. ha
What a fun weekend! Do you know where Ben got the patio set? So cute!
Pottery Barn!
OMG that looks so good!
Happy belated Birthday!
And sweetgreen! One just opened up here in my neighborhood and I finally stopped by to check it out. SO GOOD. I’m going to need these knock-offs so I don’t spend my whole paycheck on lunches out. The santorini salad look-alike is killer.
It looks like you guys had a great weekend and a happy birthday! Love this basil vinaigrette.