Raspberry Dill Vinaigrette Salad
Bright mixed-green salad with raspberry dill vinaigrette, fruit, nuts and aged feta. Easy make-ahead dressing. Serve fresh or bring to gatherings.
A very good friend of mine (Adam "Spike" Schoenwald, cause he deserves credit for this one) brought me a bottle of raspberry vinegar during my first Thanksgiving event. He told me he loved that stuff and to "do something with it." So I did. I enhanced a favorite salad recipe from a restaurant I had worked at, and added the vinaigrette to it. Since that time, I get demands to bring this creation to every festivity I attend.
Submitted by: Laura Fogelson from Kenosha, WI
Yield: A whole lot
- The vinaigrette is a 2:1 oil to vinegar ratio with cranberry mustard, lemon, celery salt, pepper and lots of dill.
- Dressing keeps refrigerated about one week; shake or whisk before using as oil separates.
- Use mixed greens, apples, pears, mandarins, toasted nuts and aged feta for best texture and flavor.
Spices
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Preparation Instructions:
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Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of vinegar should I use for the vinaigrette?
Use raspberry wine vinegar or raspberry balsamic vinegar for the clear raspberry flavor. If you do not have either, use red wine or white wine vinegar and add a splash of raspberry vinegar or a teaspoon of raspberry jam to taste.
Can I substitute fresh dill for dried dill?
Yes. Fresh dill is milder and brighter. Use three times the amount of fresh as dried. For example, if the recipe calls for 3 tablespoons dried, use about 9 tablespoons fresh, chopped. Add fresh dill at the end so it keeps its color and flavor.
How long will the raspberry dill vinaigrette last?
Stored in a sealed container in the fridge, the dressing will keep about one week. The oil will separate, so shake or whisk before each use. Do not freeze, because the texture and herbs will suffer.
Can I make this salad vegan or dairy free?
Yes. Omit the aged feta or swap for a vegan feta or crumbled firm tofu. Check the cranberry mustard label for nonvegan ingredients. The dressing itself is vegan if the mustard is vegan.
What can I use instead of walnuts or pecans if someone has a nut allergy?
Replace nuts with toasted pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or toasted chopped pretzel pieces for crunch. You can also omit them entirely and add extra dried cranberries or crisp apples.
Why does the recipe specify aged feta?
Aged feta is firmer and more tangy, which holds up well against the sweet fruit and robust dressing. If you must substitute, choose a crumbly, salty cheese like aged goat cheese, or skip the cheese.
How do I keep the fruit and greens from getting soggy if I prep ahead?
Store the dressing separately. Wash and dry greens thoroughly and keep them cold in the fridge. Slice fruit just before serving, or toss apple slices in a little lemon juice to slow browning. Keep nuts in a sealed container until serving to keep them crisp.
What kind of vinegar should I use for the vinaigrette?
Use raspberry wine vinegar or raspberry balsamic vinegar for the clear raspberry flavor. If you do not have either, use red wine or white wine vinegar and add a splash of raspberry vinegar or a teaspoon of raspberry jam to taste.
Can I substitute fresh dill for dried dill?
Yes. Fresh dill is milder and brighter. Use three times the amount of fresh as dried. For example, if the recipe calls for 3 tablespoons dried, use about 9 tablespoons fresh, chopped. Add fresh dill at the end so it keeps its color and flavor.
How long will the raspberry dill vinaigrette last?
Stored in a sealed container in the fridge, the dressing will keep about one week. The oil will separate, so shake or whisk before each use. Do not freeze, because the texture and herbs will suffer.
Can I make this salad vegan or dairy free?
Yes. Omit the aged feta or swap for a vegan feta or crumbled firm tofu. Check the cranberry mustard label for nonvegan ingredients. The dressing itself is vegan if the mustard is vegan.
What can I use instead of walnuts or pecans if someone has a nut allergy?
Replace nuts with toasted pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or toasted chopped pretzel pieces for crunch. You can also omit them entirely and add extra dried cranberries or crisp apples.
Why does the recipe specify aged feta?
Aged feta is firmer and more tangy, which holds up well against the sweet fruit and robust dressing. If you must substitute, choose a crumbly, salty cheese like aged goat cheese, or skip the cheese.
How do I keep the fruit and greens from getting soggy if I prep ahead?
Store the dressing separately. Wash and dry greens thoroughly and keep them cold in the fridge. Slice fruit just before serving, or toss apple slices in a little lemon juice to slow browning. Keep nuts in a sealed container until serving to keep them crisp.
This was a nice salad for Thanksgiving dinner. I was afraid, however, to put 1/2 cup dill weed in the vinaigrette. I wondered if this was a typo? I put 1/4 cup in, which seemed like a lot. I used pecans, and skipped the apples due to time constraints.