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Bon Appétit

Grilled Green Salad with Coffee Vinaigrette

By Bernardo Bukantz, Luis Serdio, and Roderigo Chávez

5.0

(1)

Image may contain Plant Food Produce Vegetable Seasoning and Arugula
Grilled Green Salad with Coffee VinaigrettePeden + Munk

Using these exact vegetables is not the point; choose whatever's in season and can stand up to being charred. The genius coffee dressing brings it all together.

Ingredients

4 spring onions or 8 scallions, white parts only, spring onions halved lengthwise, quartered if large
4 tomatillos, husks removed, rinsed, quartered
1 large or 2 small nopales (cactus paddles), spikes removed
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
4 ounces queso fresco
2/3 cup olive oil, divided
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons Sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon instant espresso
Vegetable oil (for grill)
3 cups torn frisee
1 cup trimmed watercress
1/2 English hothouse cucumber, halved lengthwise, seeds removed, thinly sliced
1 cup fresh cilantro and parsley leaves with tender stems

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine onions, tomatillos, nopales, garlic, cheese, and 1/3 cup olive oil in a large resealable plastic bag; season with salt and pepper. Seal bag, pressing out air, and toss to coat. Let sit at least 1 hour.

    Step 2

    Whisk vinegar, honey, and espresso in a medium bowl until honey and espresso are dissolved. Gradually add remaining 1/3 cup olive oil, whisking constantly. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.

    Step 3

    Prepare grill for medium-high heat; lightly oil grates. (Or, heat a grill pan over medium-high.) Remove onions, tomatillos, and nopales from marinade; grill, turning occasionally, until tender and charred in spots, about 5 minutes. Let cool.

    Step 4

    Remove cheese from marinade and grill, turning often, until browned on all sides, 8-10 minutes; let cool.

    Step 5

    Cut vegetables into bite-size pieces; coarsely chop cheese.

    Step 6

    Arrange greens on a platter. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with half of vinaigrette. Top with cucumber, herbs, and grilled vegetables and cheese; drizzle with remaining vinaigrette.

    Step 7

    Do Ahead: Vinaigrette can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.

TagsSaladWatercressLeafy GreensVegetableFriséeChicoryScallionOnionRoot VegetableSideDinnerGluten FreeNut FreeVegetarianGrillingBon Appétit

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