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.
The smokey candied walnuts sound divine! Definitely have to try this :)
[…] thisĀ Earth Bowl Salad with Smokey Candied Walnuts and Basil DressingĀ andĀ these peppercorn ranch BBQ burgersĀ (one of the people I made them for called them “a […]
What an interesting and unique salad! Will definitely be trying this…
What a wonderful summer dinner….the salad looks amazing.
This looks amazing! I have some sweet basil growing in one of my herb pots and I haven’t found enough uses for all of it, so this looks perfect for it!
I went out and bought the ingredients for this salad right after it came to my inbox! I added some grilled chicken because my husband doesn’t do so well with no meat at dinner, it was delicious!!
Happy belated birthday, Kristin! It looks like you had a fabulous weekend.
This salad is a masterpiece indeed! I can see why Ben went back for seconds.
Happy belated b-day! It looks like you had a blast.
And oh my goodness, this salad looks amazing. Pinning now.
Great husbands think alike! Mine got me a patio set for my birthday (which was yesterday) that is soooo similar to yours! I LOVE it! And July birthdays are the best! :)
You made my mouth water more than once with this post! And it’s only 8:30 am! Looks like a great choice of restaurant – I wish I was in Iowa so I could eat there today. Your salad? I could make that and eat it today. :)
Yum! After a long holiday weekend myself, I am definitely needing a resets. I’m always looking for new detox/restart recipes, and this sounds wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing!
The perfect summer dinner!
Happy belated birthday to you! There’s really not one thing I don’t like about this post but man, that herb garden! I wish I’d gotten my act together to plant some herbs in addition to our veggies. Fresh herbs are the best!
There’s still plenty of time to plant herbs! Don’t give up!
1st: happy belated birthday!
2nd: this salad looks spectacular! So delicious.
Just saved this to my yumprint account! Will definitely be trying this recipe!
–soulalien.blogspot.com
Where is the +1 Button? I see Comment, Like, Tweet and Pin buttons, but I don’t see one that says Like or +1. Do you mean you want us to add you to our Google Circles? Thanks.
Yay for thigh birthmarks! Mine looks like someone slapped me just below my butt, but (no pun intended) I completely forget it’s even there most of the time as I don’t tend to check my rear view too much!
My picky boyfriend and I both consistently love all your recipes – if it’s IGE he’ll trust it’s good, which is a great help while we’re travelling the globe and I’m trying to come up with new quick, healthy recipes we can make on the road. Thank you.
You look absolutely adorable on that patio!
Hi Kristin! I just wanted to thank you for making your giveaways so easy to enter! It’s so nice to just click once and be entered instead of having 43000 options for enter. So, thank you and happy belated birthday!
Such a cute patio set! My hubby and I are going on our honeymoon in a couple of weeks (we got married last August), and we are going to Sorrento, Rome, and Venice. Our itinerary was totally inspired by your travels, and all of your awesome pics! Can’t wait. Please let us know if you had any favorite spots in Rome we should check out- from one foodie to another:) Love your blog!