Roasted Vegetable and Fruit Salad

Serves 4

Roasted Vegetables and Fruit

1 lb.                 mixed root vegetables, cut into ¾” cubes or wedges*

½ lb.                apples or pears, unpeeled, cut into ¾” wedges

2 tbsp.            canola or grapeseed oil

                        salt and pepper

Dressing

¼ c.                 grapeseed oil

1/3 c.                 thinly sliced shallots

2 tsp.               finely chopped fresh ginger

2 tbsp.            white balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp.            maple syrup

1 tbsp.            finely chopped fresh parsley

1 tsp.               grainy Dijon mustard

                        salt and pepper

Assembly

4 c.                  mixed greens

½ c.                 toasted, lightly salted pumpkin seeds

½ c.                 pomegranate seeds

Roasted Vegetable and Fruit: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Place the root vegetables and the fruit in separate bowls. Divide the oil between the bowls; toss the vegetables and fruit (separately) to coat well. Season with salt and pepper.

Transfer the vegetables to one of the prepared sheets and the fruit to the other.

Roast the vegetables for 15 minutes; flip them and continue to roast until tender and nicely browned, about 10 minutes longer.

Roast the fruit for 10 minutes; flip them and continue to roast until tender and nicely browned, about 5 -10 minutes longer. Transfer both the vegetables and fruit to a large bowl.

Dressing: In a small skillet, warm the oil over medium heat. Add the shallots; cook until softened, about 2 – 4 minutes.

Add the ginger and cook for another minute or so. Remove from the heat and let cool for about 5 minutes.

In a heatproof bowl, combine the vinegar, maple syrup, parsley and mustard; whisk to combine well. Whisk in the warm oil mixture. Season with salt & pepper.

Assembly: Pour about ¼ c. of the dressing over the vegetables while they are still warm. Place the mixed greens in large bowl. Add about ½ of the remaining dressing to the greens; toss well.

Arrange the greens on a platter; top with the vegetables and fruit. Scatter the pumpkin seeds and pomegranate seeds over top.

This recipe is my interpretation of a master recipe featured in FEB/MAR 2015 issue of Fine Cooking magazine.

By: Chef Paula Bambrick