January 26th, 2010
Recreate the Casablanca Salad from Cafe Beau Soleil
There would definitely be more salad days if I could dine at Cafe Beau Soleil every day! This quaint French Bistro located in Fashion Island, Newport Beach (attached to the American Rag store) is home to some of the freshest and most original selections of salads I’ve ever seen on one menu. The day I visited, I enjoyed the Casablanca Salad which featured two of my favorite delights: goat cheese and figs. Recreated in my very own kitchen last night, it was as tasty as I remembered. It’s the perfect choice for a healthy and light evening meal. Bon Appétit!
Casablanca Salad
(Yields 4 Side Servings or 2 Entrees)
Ingredients
Mixed Spring Greens
Figs (Dried Mission Figs from TJS are great; will be even better with Fresh Figs when the are in season.)
Goat Cheese
Cucumber
Avocado
Roma Tomato
Cumin
Prep
1. Finely chop: 8 Dried Black Mission Figs, 1/2 Cucumber, 1/2 to a whole Avocado, and Tomato.
2. Mix finely chopped ingredients with the Spring Greens.
3. Add 3oz of crumbled Goat Cheese
4. Season with 1/2 tsp Cumin and 1/2 tsp of Salt
4. Toss with a 2-1/2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinaigrette (I used Newman’s Lighten Up Balsamic)
Wine Pairing
Pairs nicely with a glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, such as Nobilo 2008 Sauvignon Blanc.