Avocado

Shades of Green Chopped Salad

Name: Shades of Green Chopped Salad
Yield: Serves 2 to 3
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 small clove garlic; 2 tablespoons Champagne vinegar; 1 teaspoon crème fraîche; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 tablespoon chopped chives; 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1 pinch sea salt and black pepper, plus more to taste; 1 Granny Smith apple, chopped; 1 Hass avocado, chopped; 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice; 1/2 English cucumber, chopped; 1/4 cup chopped pistachios; 1/4 cup golden raisins; 1/3 cup crumbled gorgonzola cheese, room temperature; 1 pinch salt and black pepper, plus more to taste; 2 tablespoons chopped chives, for garnish (optional)

by: fortheloveofyum

January 13, 2011

9 Ratings

Photo by Mark Weinberg

Serves 2 to 3

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

I love combining sweet and savory in salads and that is where the idea for this dish came from. Dried fruits and nuts are a must in most of my salads, I love the texture and crunch they have and the wonderful contrast they give to the freshness of fruits and vegetables. - fortheloveofyum —fortheloveofyum

Test Kitchen Notes

Fast-forward to summer. Admittedly, we're tiptoeing a bit out of season here in the Northeast for this salad, but trust us, it's worth it. Fortheloveofyum has assembled a cool palette of greens -- crisp cucumber, tart Granny Smith, crunchy pistachio, sweet golden raisin, and a sparkly creme fraiche and chive dressing to hold it all together -- all while cleverly sidestepping the distraction of the classic salad green: lettuce. Bites of salty bleu sharpen the focus. We say: let the sun shine. - A&M —The Editors

Test Kitchen-Approved
Your Best Salad with Apples Contest Finalist

What You'll Need

Ingredients

Chive dressing
1 small clove garlic
2 tablespoons Champagne vinegar
1 teaspoon crème fraîche
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon chopped chives
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pinch sea salt and black pepper, plus more to taste

Salad
1 Granny Smith apple, chopped
1 Hass avocado, chopped
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
¹/₂ English cucumber, chopped
¹/₄ cup chopped pistachios
¹/₄ cup golden raisins
¹/₃ cup crumbled gorgonzola cheese, room temperature
1 pinch salt and black pepper, plus more to taste
2 tablespoons chopped chives, for garnish (optional)

Directions

Chive dressing
In a blender, add in the garlic, Champagne vinegar, crème fraîche, honey, chives, salt, and pepper. Blend until combined.
With the blender still on, through the top, stream in the olive oil. Blend until combined. Taste for salt and pepper. Set aside.

Salad
Toss the apple and avocado in the lemon juice so they don't oxidize. Then, combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and toss with the chive dressing. You may not have to use all of the dressing—I don't like mine too wet. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with some chopped chives. This salad can be made up to 3 to 4 hours in advance. If you are making the salad in advance add in the room temperature gorgonzola when you serve the salad.

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79 Reviews

freshsupply July 1, 2024

Nice content also read more - https://www.freshsupplies.ae/Products/

anne May 19, 2024

That bowl of salad is NOT the recipe provided. There are red onions, black olives, dill, that cheese isn't bleu, it is LETTUCE based. Where is the list for the one pictured?

Ceege September 8, 2019

Is there any type of "greens" in this recipe? The pix looks like possibly romaine chopped. It seems that with just the ingredients listed, there is not enough body to this salad.

Ascender April 30, 2022

I might add a handful of fresh soft herbs. Sorrel would be nice.

Juliette September 1, 2019

My family loved this salad and they are all not salad lovers. In the photo I saw chopped lettuce, but I didn't see it in the ingredient list, but I added it anyway. I will definitely make it again!

Ceege April 21, 2017

I saved this in my salad folder to hopefully use very soon. There seems to be something missing from the ingredient list. Looking at the picture it appears to have chopped romaine lettuce as part of the salad. Without the lettuce it doesn't seem to have much bulk, other than apples, avocado and nuts. Can someone please advise me as to whether I should make as stated or should I add some type of "greens".

Anne April 7, 2021

I have gone through the reviews and replies, but nothing as to the greens in the salad. Looks like romaine to me. I know these reviews are older, but it would be great to know what the author used. Thank you.

rebeck November 25, 2016

Added little gems and pomegranate to mine. Subtracted the cuke. It was a huge hit.

Brittany November 21, 2016

Hi there - this sounds delicious but I'm confused by the photo. In the picture I see what looks like lettuce and dill, not mentioned in the recipe. Are these recommended additions? If so, what kind and how much? Thanks!

Linda K. April 22, 2017

Do you also see radish?

Sinamen78 November 3, 2018

Looks like kalamatas too? Maybe wrong picture for this recipe?

DeirdreMS November 16, 2016

Any ideas for alternatives to gorgonzola cheese as husband cant handle it.

drbabs November 16, 2016

My husband doesn't eat gorgonzola either. I've used very sharp cheddar and smoked cheddar, which I've cut into tiny cubes. I love this salad--it's one of my potluck go-to's. Have fun.

DeirdreMS November 16, 2016

Thanks!

Ninaw2000 November 16, 2016

You could also try feta!

Sinamen78 December 30, 2020

Feta ?

Becky W. April 8, 2022

Crumbled feta?

Mary August 1, 2016

This recipe sounds great but the inclusion of green raisins really irks me. They are not for sale in any store near me (Bend, OR) and a Google search told me they are chiefly imported from Iran and China. They can be bought online but are quite expensive plus shipping. Is it really necessary to include ingredients that aren't readily available? How about suggesting a substitute or stating that the recipe doesn't work well without that ingredient?

drbabs August 1, 2016

Hi Mary. I make this all the time. It's quite adaptable. I use golden raisins when I have them. I've also used regular raisins, dried cranberries, dried cherries, and chopped up dried apricots. Really, you can use any dried fruit, or leave it out. The recipe will still be delicious.

nicole R. March 12, 2016

Delish! Served as starter course for my pork enchiladas verdes. So much flavor. The only change I made was to use Craisins instead of golden raisins. I liked the dash of color.

GourMel August 26, 2014

Whipped this up this morning for lunch. I just ate it and felt compelled to write about how amazingly delicious this was. I subbed the champagne vinegar for apple cider vinegar, creme fraiche for greek yogurt and raisins for dried cranberries. Definitely a repeat!

Karen August 21, 2013

Made this tonight. It's chilling a bit before dinner. I can't wait to pull it out and wow my family!

kitty.galore.77 July 4, 2013

This was just stunning. I didn't even use the dressing, the avocado seemed to coat everything nicely, just topped lightly with the chives and was beyond pleased both aesthetically and on the palate. Thank you for this!

Ninaw2000 April 2, 2013

This is the best and easy salad recipe for the big or small crowd. I tried this recipe came out delicious.

Susige April 2, 2013

I don't know what I was missing until today when I found this recipe. I made it for a quick lunch as I had all the ingredients in my fridge/pantry except for the raisins - instead I subbed Craisins. This will be on the menu for my next dinner party!

fydnic August 3, 2012

Is there a ready made dressing I could use? I don't think I can find all of the ingredients where I live. Thanks!

Becky W. April 8, 2022

I often just zest a large lemon and ream out all the juice, a little dash of olive oil, dash of fresh ground pepper. Light and fresh!

ihaventpoisonedyouyet August 3, 2012

There is no way this could have been better! It was so easy to make, I had all the ingredients on hand (how often does that happen?) and it looks beautiful. Can't wait to make this again. Great for the summer.

Kimerooch11 July 16, 2012

Fantastic salad, although my 4 year old did not approve... :). Tthat just means it was really good, however. Will keep this one handy for future reference.

Wonderland K. May 11, 2012

This is fantastic. I served it on a bed of arugula--a hit! Will be saving this one.

betty888 April 29, 2012

I made this for a tapas party this weekend. I served a lot of rich foods (cheese! garlic! olive oil galore!) and wanted something fresh and green to cut the richness. This fit the bill. Strange how all of this just works so well together! Very delicious and creative. Super easy to make too.