**January 6 Update: Thanks for voting this recipe into Foodbuzz daily top 9, Jan 6,2012**
I’ve always loved salads. When I lived in the US Caesar salad was my favorite. It spent a long time on top of my favorite salads lists. Finding a good Caesar was usually not a problem. Then when we moved to Europe, Caesar got knocked off the top of the list. In Paris even the small side salad served alongside a meal tasted fantastic. I loved the simple mustard dressing or light vinaigrette used as salad dressings in France. Don’t get me wrong a thick creamy American style salad dressing is great every once in a while but most days I prefer the light alternatives.
When we moved to Czech Republic salads were a little more hit and miss. I recall a conversation my friend and I once had about salads. I told her that I was really craving a good fresh and seasonal salad loaded with crisp salad greens. She looked at me and said, “Oh you are craving rabbit food.” Laughter aside she explained that those types of salads weren’t as popular here. My cravings for good salads at restaurants got to be so much that I resorted to drastic means. I started visiting the American fast food restaurants for decent salads. Which I have to admit really satisfied my cravings. As the time has passed finding fantastic seasonal salads has become less of a problem. As a matter of fact I had one of the best Caesars of my life right here in Prague.
Since I started cooking I no longer have to rely on restaurants to satisfy my salad cravings. As the time has passed and my adventurous food side has grown, I’ve experimented with all sorts of ingredients. One of my favorite things to do is go to the green grocers and see what salad greens, vegetables and fruits I can bring home to experiment with. Many of the exotic ingredients aren’t always available but that is when my creativity gets going. This salad is the result of one such trip and creativity.
As proud of myself as I am for being adventurous and creative with salads, there is one person who’s salads I really admire. That person is known to some of us as “The Veggie Queen”. But I think she needs an additional title, ” Salad Queen” . That person is my friend Alisha, aka Magic of Spice, from The Ardent Epicure. Alisha’s salads always make my mouth water. But they are also a feast for the eyes. Her use of fresh seasonal, local, and organic, ingredients is incredible. Believe me if you are looking for five star veggie or salad recipes, The Ardent Epicure is THE best source to go to. I promise she didn’t pay me to say that, just saying it like it is.
Taking inspiration from Alisha this salad came together with the use of fresh seasonal ingredients. Both Persimmon and Pomegranates are currently in season. This salad was a great combination of sweet, tart, and savory. Here is how I made this salad for my hubby and I.
Persimmon, Avocado and Serrano Ham Salad
(with avocado and pomegranate molasses dressing)
Baby spinach, to taste
1 sweet persimmon, peeled and cut in half then thinly sliced wedges
1/2 avocado, thinly sliced
Pomegranate seeds, to taste
onion slices, to taste
Serrano ham (Spanish cured ham) or Prosciuto, 1-2 slices per person
Pratomagno cheese or Parmesan, a few shavings
Pomegranate molasses dressing for 2:
1 tbsp pomegranate molasses
2 tbsp EVOO (good quality olive oil)
1 tbsp water
1/2 tbsp brown sugar
pinch granulated garlic
pinch ground ginger
pinch ground black pepper
Salad Instructions:
Gently toss ingredients in a salad bowl or arrange on plates as desired.
Dressing Instructions:
Place all ingredients in a jar, seal tightly. Shake vigorously until all ingredients are well combined. Taste and adjust as desired. Drizzle over salad.
Serve salad alongside some rustic or country style bread.
Many of us are trying to eat better now that the holiday season is over, and this salad is staying within my healthy plans. Yes, there is cheese in the salad, and yes it has cured ham. But both the cheese and ham are just small amounts. By adding a little protein to your salad it will help you feel fuller longer. Also I don’t believe in depriving myself of good things to eat regardless if I am eating healthier or not. I can also make up for the extra fat by choosing less caloric foods the rest of the day. Moderation is the key. I know from personal experience that when you deprive yourself of things you like, you are more likely to cheat. You’ll get frustrated and only focus on what you can’t have which can lead to giving up and indulging, too much and too often, on unhealthy quantities and low quality foods. This is not only what I believe but my personal experience. Everyone is different and the most important thing is to always listen to your body. Buen Provecho!
Other Salads (and a salsa) from the Spicie Foodie archives:
– A Killer Salad That Won’t Kill You
– Flower Showers, Spring Serenade, Gourmet Greens and Tangerines
– Watermelon Feta Salsa with Fresh Horseradish, Euro-Mexican Fusion
– Nectarine Tomato Basil Salad With A Little Kick
More Yummy Salads By Foodie Friends:
– Beet Leaf Salad with Sugar Snap Peas and Mandarin Segments by Pham Fatale
– Fresh and crispy fennel and orange salad with a twist by Share My Kitchen
– kale salad with grapefruit and pomegranate seeds by Brooklyn Supper
– Ready for Veggies! by Cooking Healthy For Me
– Marinated Kale Salad by VegNews
– Spinach Feta Blood Orange Salad by Joy The Baker
Love the little pomegrante jewels! This dressing sounds amazing!
Gracias amiga :)
This sounds like my kind of salad – fresh ingredients, tangy dressing, and lots of texture and colour and flavour to keep it interesting. Hopefully I can still get my hands on some persimmons… I think the season is winding down over here.
Hi Isabelle, Thank you! I hope you can get the persimmons too. They are still everywhere here so you may have some luck.
I have never had persimmons before but this salad looks amazing! I agree with you, every once and a while you want the thick heavy dressing covered salad (aka ceasar) but most times I love the light salad with fresh ingredients…and everything about this salad screams delicious :)
Thank you April. You should really try persimmons. They are such a unique taste that is hard to describe but quite tasty :)
Yum, yum and some more yum! Looks so fresh and beautiful….I love this salad and I adore Alisha and her recipes too! Awesome photos, and thanks for sharing!!!!
Hehe, thanks Sandra :)
Not only is this salad stunning,, but I love every single one of the ingredients. Avocado. Pomegranate. Persimmons. (Sigh!) (Persimmons are one of my favorite fruits.) Sounds absolutely dreamy! :)
Thank you Leslie :)
I love the components in this salad-super textures and flavors. Also the dressing is something that would be good on most salads-yum! As far as I am concerned, salads do have a place on the table to represent the whole meal. This post is proof of that-well done.
I also do think that the dressing will work on many salads. We often have salads a our meal so of course I agree with you. Thanks :)
Pomegranate Molasses and Serrano Ham are two of my favorite things. This will be perfect to try this time of the year!
Glad to hear you are a fan, thanks Amy :)
I just cant get enough views looking at these gorgeous photos who wouldnt want to eat your scrumptious recipes lovely presentation!
Thank you Claudia :)
Looks absolutely gorgeous!
Question: I’ve tried persimmons, and while I love the flavor, the after-taste/sensation is mealy and covering my gums. What am I doing wrong? ;)
Danke Kiri! Hum, I’m not sure. Perhaps someone else here can answer it for you. But I usually wait until my Persimmons are really soft, never had the mealy taste.
I LOVE this salad. I’m definitely a salty sweet gal, so I’m going to try this. We also happen to have a neighborhood persimmon tree that’s loaded right now! Score. You’ve been buzzed. :)
Thank you Terris! How lucky for you, I would be there picking fruit everyday :)
Thank you! I have pomegranate molasses for months now and never know what to do with it. Haven’t had persimmons either before I don’t think, but this whole dish sounds fresh fragrant and healthy, which is always a plus with my shrinking jeans ;-) Fantastic blog too. x
Thanks Sheelagh! What a perfect opportunity for you to try both then :)
Love your recipe, it looks so delicious!!!
And your dressing is amazing:)
I wish you a happy new year by the way!
Thank you and happy new year to you too!
This is precisely the type of salad I’ve been craving lately — like you, I’ve been feeling like eating lighter (but still tasty) things after the holidays. I’ll have to try this!
Thanks Felicia! I hope you do make the salad and that it satisfies your craving.
What a gorgeous salad spicey foodie – colourful, fresh and full of life – and your photos are just so beautiful too!
Thank you Kelly :)
How funny, she is totally the “Salad Queen”. I need rabbit food and lots of it, age is not kind to the metabolism. I’m so glad I’m not the only one who doesn’t like the thick salad dressings that seem to be so popular. Yours is so beautiful as always. Are you trying to give Alisha a run for her money, lol? Happy New Years, I’m hoping 2012 is the magic year for you.
-Gina-
Gina you are the “Cookie Queen” :) I know our aging metabolism sucks! Haha, and I thought I was the only one that didn’t. No, Alisha has nothing to worry about. Her title says it all :) Happy New Years sweetie! Thank you and I also hope that 2012 is a great year for you. Hugs!
Delicious AND stunning! That salad is a work of art! I’d hesitate to eat it….but I won’t!
Thank you Ann :)
I can imagine how exotic this salad will be! It would make a nice addition to a dinner party for sure. :)
Thanks Michelle! Yes, it would be a hit a dinner party. It has a little bit for everyone’s taste.
Beautiful post Nancy! Wonderful hearty meal of a salad to enjoy on a Winter’s night for dinner.
I agree that Alisha’s salads are jaw dropping, her ingredients are a testament to farmers markets everywhere and of course her talent. I also want to mention how much I like the warmth of these photos, so satisfying in this season! Hugs to you;-)
Thank you Patty :) Hugs back sweetie!
That is one lovely salad! What a wonderful combination and presentation.
Cheers,
Rosa
Thank you Rosa :)
probably my favorite thing about cooking is not having to rely on restaurants/bakeries/grocery stores to meet my cravings! your pictures here are so lovely…
Thank you Anna! Yes that is so true, we make what we crave when we want.
What a terrific combination of ingredients. Beautiful presentation as well–and loely photos.
Thank you Vicki :)!
OK, so now my face is the same color as my hair :) Thank you so much for the wonderful words sweetie! And this salad is just stunning…the flavors work together so beautifully, perfection! And I must steal this dressing, sounds so wonderful. The photos and styling are, as always, fantastic!
P.S. I almost picked up persimmons the other day when I was shopping, but decided to wait for the farmer’s market, lol
Haha, So now you’ll match the photo background too :) Thank you sweetie!
Hooray for the Top 9!!! Stunning AND delicious salad!
Thank you Lizzy :)
Love it! I agree – the best salads combine unique, seasonal ingredients with yummy dressing. Beautifully done. Congrats on Top 9.
Thank you and glad you agree. Congrats to you as well!
Love this! As soon as my husband saw the title of the recipe, he said, that sounds Spanish. We also have noticed how they don’t really love dark leafy greens as much here in Spain, so I’m sure we’ll be making a version of this soon. Thanks!
Hi Amanda, Thank you. That is too bad about the dark leafy vegetables, I love them :)
The photo is awesome! The dish sounds delish. What camera do you use?
Thanks Jaime! You can get all my equipment details in the Photography page, http://www.spiciefoodie.com/photography/ .
Beautiful salad! The dressing sounds terrific!
LL
Thank you Lori Lynn :) Happy new year, hope it is off to a great start.
What a gorgeous salad. The fruit was my mother’s favorite and you just brought back memories of her…thank you!
Thanks! Really? Oh that is so sweet :)