She Strengthens

Elevate Your Salad Game with This Pumpkin Seed Masterpiece

When it comes to crafting the perfect salad, simplicity can be a powerful tool. This butter lettuce and pumpkin seed combination is a prime example, with a roasted garlic and apple juice vinaigrette that adds a delightful twist.

Pumpkin Seed Oil: The Secret to Intensifying Flavor

To take your salad to the next level, consider using pumpkin seed oil in your vinaigrette. This subtle yet impactful ingredient can make all the difference in bringing out the pumpkin flavor.

Roasting Garlic: A Game-Changing Technique

Roasting garlic is a simple yet effective way to add depth to your dishes. By roasting a few heads of garlic a week, you can have a flavorful ingredient at your fingertips whenever you need it. Simply place the garlic in a 400°F oven until the cloves are soft, then pinch them between your fingers to release the roasted goodness.

The Vinaigrette: A Complex Flavor Profile

This vinaigrette is more than just a dressing – it’s a flavor experience. By blending roasted garlic, apple cider vinegar, apple juice, and olive oil, you’ll create a complex flavor profile that only gets better with time. Make it up to 5 days ahead, refrigerate, and warm to room temperature before serving.

Building the Perfect Salad

With your vinaigrette ready, it’s time to build your salad. Simply top your favorite lettuce (butter, romaine, or iceberg work well) with the toasted pumpkin seeds and drizzle with the vinaigrette.

Ingredients and Instructions

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup hulled pumpkin seeds
• 3 medium roasted garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons unfiltered apple cider or juice
• 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 heads butter lettuce, washed and torn into large pieces

Instructions:

1. Toast the pumpkin seeds in a medium frying pan over medium heat until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
2. Blend the garlic, cider vinegar, apple cider or juice, and oil in a blender until smooth and emulsified, about 20 seconds. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Place the lettuce in a large salad bowl, add the dressing, and toss to combine. Garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds and serve immediately.

Beverage Pairing Suggestions

• For a refreshing pairing, try a light pilsner like Czechvar or a British stout like Samuel Smith’s Imperial Stout.
• If you prefer wine, a glass of Grüner Veltliner from Austria provides a nice balance to the nutty sweetness of the pumpkin seeds and apple cider. Look for fruit-driven vinifications like the 2005 H.u.M. Hofer Grüner Veltliner or the 2004 Hiedler Thal.