This week’s recipe for Cook the Book Fridays comes from Dorie Greenspan’s latest cookbook, Everyday Dorie and is exactly the type of “recipe” I love to make in the summer – a big old “salade composée” (a salad where each different component is served separately, not all tossed together.
Dorie’s “recipe” is more of an outline – there’s a “real” recipe for the vinaigrette and then the rest is based on beets, salad leaves and whatever else takes your fancy (grains, other veggies). The “ginger” in the recipe title comes from the vinaigrette which has both harissa and ginger in it but not enough of either that you could actually taste them (1 teaspoon harissa paste and 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger for a vinaigrette that serves 4…) and I found the flavours a little confused (it also uses both balsamic and white wine vinegar) and I think I would have preferred the focus to be on the harissa, especially with the ingredients I chose to use. I love the idea of using ginger in a vinaigrette though and put it on my “to do” list for soon!
I composed my salad with: radicchio, romaine leaves, arugula, roasted beets, quinoa, crumbled feta, poached chicken, sliced almonds and green onions. Neil thought it was all a bit confused but I loved it – it’s exactly the way I love to eat in summer. Now, with just a bit more harissa in that dressing….
Get the recipe for Dorie Greenspan’s Ginger Beet Salad Bowls on page 88 of Everyday Dorie.
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Disclosure: I was provided with a copy of “Everyday Dorie” for review purposes. I was not asked to write about the book, nor am I being compensated for doing so. All opinions 100% my own.
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This is a beautiful plate, Mardi. Love the color which shows off the ingredients so well. This is my idea of a summer platter of healthy goodness for lunch. Thanks for being understanding this week. I appreciate it. You two take care.
Adding chicken and feta is such a good idea, making the salad a more substantial dish for a meal. My husband thinks the beet salad is so-so. But if I add all the goodies the way you did and amp up the ginger and harissa flavor, I bet he might like it better. Your salad looks composed — indeed.
Beautiful plate of healthy deliciousness ! I find that I have as much fun with the recipes where Dorie gives us “free reign” as those that provide very specific ingredients. Nothing like inspiration in the mix !
this is the way i love to eat, too! when i saw your plate it reminded me very much of a salad i often get a little cafe chain here called maman (i think they have a spot in toronto, too, now). i’ll tell mr. neil you are very on-trend! haha.
We enjoyed this one too. I did not taste the ginger either. My first time using harissa and I liked it.
I would definitely give the dressing another try! We loved that part! I found this powder I bought inline to be more flavorful that the paste I bought at Trader Joe’s so perhaps the kick is different depending on what you buy!