WATERCRESS AND GORGONZOLA SALAD WITH SPICED WALNUTS

WATERCRESS AND GORGONZOLA SALAD WITH SPICED WALNUTS image

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 14

Spiced Walnuts
1/3 cup walnuts (halves and pieces)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
Salad
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, divided
1 bunch watercress, rinsed, dried and stems removed
1/2 head romaine lettuce, cleaned and cut into 1/2-inch strips
1/2 cup (3 ounces) crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
1/4 cup dried cranberries
2 tablespoons julienned red onion
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt, to taste
Freshly cracked pepper, to taste

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 375ºF. For the spiced walnuts, place the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast lightly, about 5 minutes. Remove to a bowl and toss with the cayenne pepper and maple syrup. Return the coated nuts to the baking sheet. Return to the oven for 5 minutes. Remove the walnuts to oiled wax paper to cool. For the salad, bring 1 cup of balsamic vinegar to a boil in a small saucepan. Simmer to reduce the liquid by two-thirds, and remove from the heat. Set aside to cool. In a large bowl, mix the remaining ingredients, including the remaining 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar. Divide the salad among six plates. Drizzle the reserved reduced balsamic vinegar around the plates. Serve immediately.