Best Watercress And Goat Cheese Salad With Dijon Vinaigrette Recipes

Watercress, Endive, and Goat Cheese Salad image

Yield Serves 2

Number Of Ingredients 8

enough Italian bread cut into 1/2-inch cubes to measure 1 cup
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
1 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves or 1/4 teaspoon crumbled dried
3 cups loosely packed watercress, the coarse stems discarded and the sprigs rinsed and spun dry
1 small Belgian endive, trimmed and sliced thin crosswise
2 ounces mild goat cheese such as Montrachet, crumbled (about 1/2 cup)

Steps:

In a small bowl toss the bread cubes with 1 tablespoon of the oil and salt to taste and on a baking sheet toast them in the middle of preheated 350°F. oven for 10 minutes, or until they are golden. Transfer the croutons to a salad bowl and let them cool. In another small bowl whisk together the lemon juice, the mustard, the thyme, and salt and pepper to taste, add the remaining oil in a stream, whisking, and whisk the dressing until it is emulsified. To the croutons add the watercress, the endive, the goat cheese, and the dressing and toss the salad well.

Herbed Goat Cheese, Roasted Beet, and Watercress Salad image

Yield Serves 8

Number Of Ingredients 15

4 medium beets, scrubbed and trimmed, leaving about 1 inch of stems attached
For vinaigrette
1 1/4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
For herbed goat cheese
3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon, crumbled
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 ounces Montrachet or other soft goat cheese, cut into eight 1/2-inch rounds and chilled, covered
2 bunches watercress, coarse stems discarded, rinsed and spun dry (about 8 cups)

Steps:

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Wrap beets tightly in foil and roast in middle of oven 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until tender. Unwrap beets carefully and cool until they can be handled. Discard stems and peel beets. Beets may be prepared up to this point 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Cut each beet into 8 wedges and cover.
Make vinaigrette:
In a blender blend together mustard, vinegar, tarragon, salt, and pepper. With motor running add oil in a stream and blend until emulsified. Vinaigrette may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.
Make herbed goat cheese:
In a bowl stir together bread crumbs, tarragon, salt, and pepper. Cut each cheese round in half crosswise. Coat each piece of cheese evenly with crumb mixture, pressing gently, and transfer to a baking sheet. Goat cheese may be prepared up to this point 1 day ahead and chilled, covered loosely. Let cheese come to room temperature before proceeding.
Preheat broiler.
Broil goat cheese about 2 inches from heat until crumbs are lightly browned, about 2 minutes.
In a bowl toss watercress and onion with half of vinaigrette. Arrange watercress mixture, beets, and goat cheese on 8 salad plates and drizzle remaining vinaigrette over beets.

Arugula, Watercress, and Goat Cheese Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette image

Provided by Joe Dion

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup fresh raspberries, divided
1/2 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons raspberry vinegar or white wine vinegar
1 shallot, chopped
1 teaspoon honey
1 5-ounce bag mixed baby greens with arugula
2 cups small watercress sprigs
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
1 cup crumbled soft fresh goat cheese (about 4 ounces)

Steps:

Puree 1/2 cup raspberries, oil, vinegar, shallot, and honey in blender. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.
Combine remaining 1/2 cup raspberries, greens, watercress, and pine nuts in large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat. Divide salad among plates. Sprinkle with goat cheese. Serve, passing remaining dressing separately.

Watercress, Avocado and Orange Salad image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 15m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 0

Steps:

Soak 1/4 thinly sliced red onion in cold water, about 10 minutes. Whisk 1/4 cup orange juice, the juice of 1 lime, 1 tablespoon honey, 2 teaspoons dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste in a bowl. Whisk in 3 tablespoons olive oil. Drain the onion; toss with 2 bunches watercress, 2 sliced avocados, 2 segmented oranges and the dressing. Top with chopped toasted hazelnuts.