Arugula Salad with Walnuts, Apples and Fig Balsamic Reduction

This simple and delicious salad features dates, cheeses, and olives from around the region, presenting a unique combination of sweet and savory flavors punctuated by the distinct taste of Italian wine vinegar. The ingredients are simple and the dressing comes together in just a few moments, making it easy to put together while you are working on another part of the meal.

Restaurant Quality Ingredients

You won't believe how easy it is to get restaurant quality flavor when you get fresh walnuts and apples, and you can combine a couple types of endive and arugula for a little extra color. Try mixing red and green varieties for a garden fresh look. The savory fig balsamico artisan vinegar is the hero of the dish, bringing together the fruity and savory flavors in the salad to make a harmonious bridge between the contrasting flavors in the dish. Try it with Lucini Italia Co. extra virgin olive oil to get an authentic taste in every bite.

Recipe Summary

A warm balsamic reduction adds brightness to this delicious salad. Recipe Servings: 6 portions Recipe Preparation Time: 10 minutes Recipe Cook Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 cup Lucini® Savory Fig Balsamico 1/2 cup Lucini® Extra Virgin Olive Oil 3 tbsp Lucini® Pinot Grigio Italian Wine Vinegar 6 cups arugula 2 cups chopped endive 2 Fuji apples, unpeeled, cored, thinly sliced 6 ounces Spanish Manchego cheese, shaved 1 1/2 cups pitted dates, sliced 1 cup roasted walnuts 4 large shallots, minced

Instructions

Pour the balsamic vinegar in a small sauce pot over high heat. Whisk briskly, even prior to boiling. Once it starts boiling, keep whisking constantly to prevent burning. Continue until the sauce reduces by half and is of a syrupy consistency. Remove from heat and set aside. Whisk oil and Pinot Grigio vinegar in bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Toss arugula, endive, apples, half of cheese, dates, walnuts, and shallots in large bowl with enough vinaigrette to coat. Season salad with salt and pepper. Mound salad in center of each plate. Drizzle balsamic reduction around salads. Sprinkle remaining cheese atop salads. A warm balsamic reduction adds brightness to this delicious salad.