She Strengthens

Flavorful Fusion: A California-Inspired Mixed Green Salad

When it comes to creating a salad that’s both flavorful and filling, look no further than this California-inspired mixed green masterpiece. With its harmonious blend of textures and tastes, this dish is sure to become a staple in your culinary repertoire.

Selecting the Finest Ingredients

To truly elevate this salad, it’s essential to choose the freshest, highest-quality ingredients available. A trip to the farmers’ market will provide you with the best produce at its peak, making all the difference in the final product. For the tuna, opt for thick, oil-packed fillets that will add richness and depth to the dish.

Unfamiliar Ingredients Worth Exploring

Haricots verts, slender green beans popular in French cuisine, bring a delicate flavor to the salad. If you can’t find them, substitute with parcooked green beans or asparagus. Oil-cured olives, with their intense, briny flavor, are a game-changer in this recipe. While they can be found in gourmet groceries, good-quality brined olives can be used as a substitute.

Streamlining the Preparation Process

To make the most of your time, prepare the haricot verts, radishes, hearts of palm, and olives in advance. This will allow you to focus on combining the ingredients and adding the finishing touches.

The Recipe

Yields: 6 to 8 servings
Difficulty: Easy
Total Time: 5 minutes
Active Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces mixed greens, washed and dried
• 8 ounces oil-packed tuna, drained and flaked into large pieces
• 4 ounces haricots verts, trimmed and cut into 1-inch lengths
• 6 medium radishes, trimmed, halved lengthwise, and thinly sliced
• 1 1/2 medium avocados, pitted and cut into medium dice
• 1/2 (14.5-ounce) can hearts of palm, drained, halved lengthwise, and thinly sliced crosswise
• 1/2 cup oil-cured olives, pitted and finely chopped
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives
• 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons sherry vinegar

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients except vinegar in a large, nonreactive serving bowl.
2. Sprinkle vinegar over the salad and toss to combine.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.

Beverage Pairing

Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc, California, is the perfect accompaniment to this salad. Its bright, clean, and high-toned flavor profile, with notes of citrus and herbs, complements the sharp flavors, earthy notes, and rich protein in the dish.