Wow, is Christmas really over? That went by super quick. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of craziness and finally we have a chance to catch our breath. But I’m so excited to tell you about a gift I got from my sister-in-law for Christmas. It’s the cutest little fancy cookbook I’ve ever seen.
AND it’s from Laduree, the bakery in Paris believed to be the birthplace of the French macarons we know and love. I’m already salivating just thumbing through the book. At the top of my ever-growing list of yummy things to make are, of course, the macarons. But also the cream puffs, eclairs, hot chocolate, roasted pineapple tart, and chocolate caramels. Do you hear that? It’s the sound of my New Years resolution to lose weight getting pummeled by the fanciest little pastries known to man.
In the meantime, lemmie switch gears a bit and tell you about a salad you have to try as soon as humanly possible. This Cranberry Almond Salad with Sweet Red Onion Dressing is the freakinbombdiggity. And I’m not gonna lie—it’s the dressing that makes it. I could guzzle the stuff from a Big Gulp cup and be in heaven. I don’t doubt it’s because of the sugar in it…
Really it’s everything about the salad that makes it a hit. You can use any kind of lettuce you prefer. Then you have sweet and crunchy roasted almonds, tangy craisins, crisp and salty bacon, and the best dressing you’ll ever drink taste.
This salad is fancy shmancy and perfect for a New Years party, Valentines dinner, or any time you want to impress guests, a hot date, or your family. No matter what, they’ll all love it. And likely go back for seconds. Or fifths…
- Salad:
- 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled*
- 1 head red leaf lettuce
- 1 head green leaf lettuce
- 1 head iceberg lettuce
- 1 pkg. shredded mozzarella
- 1 pkg. slivered almonds, roasted (I use Almond Accents)
- 1 package fresh Parmesan
- 1 pkg. craisins
- Dressing:
- ½ cup red onion, finely chopped (about ½ of one large)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1½ tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. dry mustard
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 cup oil
- Tear leaves of lettuce heads and put in large bowl. Mix with bacon, cheeses, almonds, and craisins.
- For dressing, combine all dressing ingredients in a jar or dressing carafe and shake until combined. Drizzle onto salad and toss until mixed well.
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mmm, that looks delish! I love almonds in my salad! I just made one with glazed pecans!
Heather Mason recently posted…Sweet and Salty Glazed Pecans
Thanks, Heather! I’m a huge fan of almonds in salads as well. Pecans would be delicious, too! Your sweet and salty pecans look amazing, by the way. I’ll have to try them. 🙂
It seems like we’re both having laduree christmas’… I have sucre and savory and this Christmas got myself the laduree macaron book.. which is just SO incredible! What a delicious salad recipe too.. I definitely can see myself making it!
Thalia @ butter and brioche recently posted…Salted Caramel Croquembouche Cake
Hey Thalia, that is too funny! Laduree is amazing and I’m sure the recipes won’t disappoint. We’ll have to let each other know how our Laduree stuff turns out!