GORGONZOLA AND GRAPE SALAD

Gorgonzola and Grape Salad image

Provided by Food Network

Time P1DT10m

Yield 6 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

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1/2 cup aged red wine vinegar
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon salt
5 cloves garlic
1 1/2 small shallots, minced
2 1/2 cups extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
20 cloves garlic
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups seedless green and red grapes, halved
1 cup Gorgonzola, crumbled
3 heads frissee lettuce, or other hearty green

Steps:

Dressing: Place red wine vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and garlic cloves in a blender and pulse on high speed. Add the shallots and slowly incorporate the extra-virgin olive oil while blender is on high speed. Finish seasoning with black pepper and allow the dressing to sit for 24 hours, refrigerated, before using.
For the candied garlic: Coat a sheet pan with oil for the finished garlic. Place the garlic and water in a large saute pan over medium to high heat. Boil the cloves until they are cooked through but still firm to the touch and still maintain their shape. This takes about 8 minutes. By this time the water should be all the way or close to being evaporated. At this point, add the sugar in with the garlic cloves and continue to cook over medium heat while stirring occasionally. After a couple of minutes the sugar will begin to caramelize. At this point it is important that the garlic be stirred constantly so they become evenly coated with the caramelized sugar. Continue to caramelize the garlic until golden to dark golden brown. This process happens very quickly so stay alert. Turn the garlic out onto the greased sheet pan and cool.
For the salad: Place the grapes, Gorgonzola and candied garlic in a large mixing bowl. Add 3/4 cup of dressing. You want enough dressing in the bowl to fully saturate the cheese and grape mixture. Add the lettuce and toss your salad. Taste for seasoning.