Mixed greens topped with fresh raspberries, brie cheese, honeyed pecans, sliced scallions, puff pastry croutons, and a drizzle of homemade honey cinnamon balsamic vinaigrette.
With bathing suit season just around the corner…and a baby that’s due to arrive just before it begins…I have the feeling that salads are going to be my best friend for the next few months. Which works out well, since they pretty much already are….! I am a HUGE salad lover (I eat at least one every day) and I love sharing new salad recipes with family and friends. So I’ve decided to kick off a “salad of the week” post for the spring and summer months….starting today!
Now, you may be wondering how much one person can really LOVE salad. But the truth is there’s just so much to love! Like the fact that it’s light. And fresh. And the basis of it is green….so you can feel good about eating it. Or the fact that you can eat a LOT of it without feeling guilty….and it doesn’t leave you feeling heavy and weighed down when you’re done!
Or the fact that it’s pretty to look at and full of fun textures and perfect as a main dish or a side dish or even dessert…..or the fact that the possibilities are absolutely endless! You can turn anything (or almost anything) into a salad and it will be delicious! (Have I sold you on salads??)
The inspiration for this particular salad came from brie cheese….one of my favorites, especially when it’s served warm and melty and wrapped in puff pastry with fruit and nuts! So that’s pretty much what this salad is….minus the melty….and with the addition of a deliciously sweet honey cinnamon balsamic vinaigrette. Because some things are just too good NOT to turn into a salad…..! Who’s with me??
Ingredients
- 4 c. loosely packed mixed greens
- 2 scallions sliced
- 1/2 c. fresh raspberries
- 2 oz. brie cheese sliced
- 1/3 c. candied pecans
- handful of puff pastry croutons
Candied Pecans
- 1 c. pecans
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 1 Tbsp. sugar
Puff Pastry Croutons
- 1/3 sheet puff pastry
- 1 egg beaten
Honey Cinnamon Balsamic Vinaigrette
- 1/3 c. olive oil
- 1/3 c. balsamic vinaigrette
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. dried basil
Instructions
- Prepare dressing by mixing all ingredients together in a jar and shaking to combine.
- Prepare candied pecans by combining all ingredients in a small bowl, spreading on a baking sheet lined in parchment paper, and baking 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Pecans will harden while they are cooling. **You will have extra.
- Prepare croutons by cutting puff pastry into 1 inch squares, brushing with beaten egg and baking on a baking sheet lined in parchment paper 8-10 minutes at 375 degrees.
- Assemble salad, including pecans and croutons. Drizzle with vinaigrette to taste.
Looking for more delicious salad recipes?
Wow! I love salads, too, and this one is right up my alley because I am a big brie fan. I usually make a baked brie with apples, cranberries, almonds and cinnamon (minus the puff pastry).
I’m definitely trying your version. then I may have it again with the apples, cranberries and almonds.
Can’t wait to see all your salad creations!
this salad looks fantastic!!! wish we were neighbors because i’d be headed over for lunch! can’t wait to try this one… those croutons are a great idea!!!
Yum! Looks like my kind of salad – and I agree, Spring just feels like a “lighter” month. Bring on the delicious and fresh greens! I love the raspberry walnut combo in this!
This salad looks SO tasty!! And I love the idea of the puff pastry croutons!!
Love the puff pastry croutons!! This salad looks perfect for Spring, Cathy!
I love your love for salads!! This one sounds amazing! I love those puff pastry croutons – what a great idea! My husband and I would devour this! Pinned!!
That looks sooo good! I’ve got to try those croutons. My girls are going to love them!
Ohhh totally LOVE salads when they are loaded with all kinds of goodness like this!
I’m making this salad for a brunch tomorrow! It looks amazing. I’m also doing bacon jam and homemade buttermilk biscuits – which I probably won’t eat because I’m a salad girl too! Thanks for the recipe. I posted a link to it on Facebook.
I saw this on IG? okay, maybe Facebook, can’t remember, but I have been thinking about it since, and so here I am to look at the recipe. And of course you have a million salads that are so amazing looking that now I am torn, and can’t decide which to have for lunch tomorrow. Thank you!
What a pretty salad, and it looks delicious too…..
Pinning!! Happy Easter to you and yours…. 🙂
“hugs” Crystelle
Crystelle Boutique
Oh my! You had me at puff pastry croutons! This will be the perfect summertime dinner. Thanks so much for sharing!
Yum, yum. Raspberries, brie, pecans, puff pastry = pinned:) saw you featured at showlicious sat. Have a great weekend.