PARTY SALAD WITH BALSAMIC HONEY-MUSTARD VINAIGRETTE

Party Salad With Balsamic Honey-Mustard Vinaigrette image

Provided by Secret Agent

Time 20m

Yield 1 salad, 12-16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 tablespoons mustard (what you like but I used yellow the last time and it was great!)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon shallot, finely minced
1/4 teaspoon finely minced garlic
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
12 cups lettuce, trimmed and torn (mixed or what you like, romaine works well)
2 finely sliced scallions (or half of a thinly sliced red onion)
1/4 cup herbs, fresh minced (what you like but parsley and thyme work well)
2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
1 -2 carrot, thinly sliced
2 celery ribs, thinly sliced
1/4 cup sultana raisin
1/4 cup craisins (dried cranberries)
1/4 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbles (optional, feta works too)

Steps:

In your salad bowl whisk mustard, salt, pepper, vinegar briskly until very well combined. Add the vinegar and whisk for about a minute. Add honey and whisk for about 30 seconds. It should be thick. Whisk in the shallot and garlic.
Dribble the olive oil into the base very slowly whisking all the while. The olive oil should be completely incorporated as you dribble. This is important so if you see oil in a ring around the vinegar, keep whisking! After all of the oil is mixed in, keep whisking for a few seconds more to ensure the emulsification.
Just before serving add your salad fixings, romaine, carrots, tomatoes, scallions, herbs, what you like. Toss and add the walnuts and cheese to the top.
Serve on chilled plates.
I have made this in a punch bowl to serve about 35 people.
If you want, you can store the dressing in the refrigerator in a jar for everyday use.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 250.1, Fat 21.5, SaturatedFat 3.7, Cholesterol 4.2, Sodium 201.9, Carbohydrate 14.2, Fiber 1.6, Sugar 10.1, Protein 2.7