Irish pub salad
A beautiful salad, as tasty as it looks, boasts the colors of the Irish flag. A centerpiece of contrast in flavors and textures, you’ll love this snapping fresh salad whether you’re Irish or not!
Irish Pub Salad
For the Salad
8 - 10 butter lettuce leaves, or Boston or Bib lettuce, rinsed and dried 10 pickled baby beets, cut in half 12 - 16 thin asparagus spears half of an English cucumber, sliced in thin rounds 10 grape or cherry tomatoes, cut in half 3 hard-boiled eggs peeled and cut in half, lengthwise ¼ cup sweet or red onion, slivered 8 sticks of Irish Cheddar cheese (Dubliner), 4” by 1/2” wide
For the Salad Dressing
½ cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons red wine or rice vinegar 2 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon or 1 teaspoon dried 1 clove garlic, finely minced 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 3 teaspoons water as needed 1/2 teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper pinch of sugar
-When cool, peel the eggs and rinse. Halve the eggs lengthwise then sprinkle with black pepper.
-Tear off 8 - 10 pieces of lettuce. Rinse and blot dry with paper towel. Arrange the leaves around the edge of a large platter, reserving 2 - 3 leaves to cover the middle of the platter.
-Fill a large saucepan with water at least halfway full. Add a pinch of salt. Break the lower section of each asparagus spear off, where it naturally wants to break. Place the asparagus into the rapidly boiling water to blanch and let boil for about 2 minutes, or until the asparagus is a vibrant green. Quickly, run very cold water over the asparagus until it is cooled. Alternatively, you can dump the asparagus into a strainer, then place in a bowl of ice water until cool. Drain and set aside.
-Cut a quarter of the sweet onion, then sliver into about 12 slices. To take away some of the sharpness of the onion, soak it in a small bowl with ice water in it. Let sit 15 minutes then rinse, blot and set aside.
-Blot the beets dry so the red juice doesn’t color the other ingredients of the salad then cut each in half. Slice half the cucumber into rounds. Rinse and cut the tomatoes in half lengthwise. Cut the Irish Dubliner cheddar cheese into sticks.
-Arrange the salad ingredients on top of the lettuce, by placing each component in one or two areas, as you prefer. Use your creativity to create a salad that looks as beautiful as it tastes!
-Chill the salad covered with plastic wrap until ready to serve. Serves 6 - 8
To make the Dressing:
-In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, tarragon, garlic and Dijon mustard. Add the salt and black pepper, then the pinch of sugar. Add a bit of water if the dressing is too thick so that you can easily pour it over the salad. Whisk until smooth, taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
-Just before serving, drizzle the dressing over the salad. Serve with Irish soda bread or Irish brown bread. Or serve as a side dish to a steaming bowl of Irish soup of smoky cheese, potato, and ham.
Line the salad platter with leaves of the lettuce.
Cook the asparagus by blanching in boiling water until vibrant green, then rinse with ice cold water. Arrange the asparagus on top of the lettuce, then place the grape tomatoes and cucumber slices on the lettuce.
Arrange the beets, then the boiled eggs and finally the yellow peppers along one side of the platter on top of the lettuce.
Finally, arrange the Irish Cheddar sticks on the salad platter. Combine the ingredients of the dressing and set aside for at least 30 minutes.
Chill the salad until ready to serve, then pour the dressing generously over the beautifully fresh, ingredients. Don’t wait for St. Pat’s Day to make it - you know you want to taste it now!
PERSNICKETY PANHANDLER
**This easy, healthy salad idea for St. Patrick’s Day, or just whenever you’re feeling the “Luck of the Irish,” is perfect alongside soda bread or potato soup. Find recipes for these on this blog:
Soda Bread: https://www.persnicketypanhandler.com/blog/irish-white-soda-bread?rq=Irish%20Soda%20Bread
Irish Brown Bread:https://www.persnicketypanhandler.com/blog/ctniiok9fxbdmtmawhu8epkzbdlm9w?rq=Irish%20Brown%20Soda%20Bread
Potato Soup: https://www.persnicketypanhandler.com/blog/cheese-amp-potato-cream-soup?rq=Potato%20Soup
