Kumquat cucumber inverted salad bowl with kumquat lemon dressing
Ingredients
- 1 cucumber sliced thinly with mandolin
- 1 cup fresh kumquats sliced and removed pits
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 Tbsp hemp hearts
- 1/2 fresh fennel bulb sliced thinly
- 1 slice of yellow bell pepper chopped
- 1/4 cup grated purple carrot
- 2-3 sprigs of fresh basil chopped
- 1 stalk of celery chopped
- black sesame for garnish
- For the dressing:
- Remaining cooked kumquats
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 tsp mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 Tbsp hemp hearts
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, cook the fresh kumquats with honey over low heat for 5-7 minutes, until they are soft. Let the mixture cool for 1 hour to allow the juice to thicken.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped cucumber, half of the cooked kumquats, chopped basil, chopped fennel, chopped bell pepper, grated purple carrot, and chopped celery.
- To make the dressing, blend the remaining cooked kumquats with their juice, lemon juice, mustard, salt, black pepper, and hemp hearts until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well.
- Arrange a few slices of cucumbers in the bottom of a salad bowl. Add the dressed chopped veggies on top of the cucumbers.
- Invert the bowl onto a serving plate.
- Garnish the salad with black sesames or kumquats and serve immediately. Enjoy
Notes
- Perfectly Thin Slicing: Achieve uniform and thin cucumber slices by using a mandolin slicer. Consistent slicing ensures an elegant presentation and allows the flavors to meld seamlessly.
- Optimal Kumquat Preparation: When slicing kumquats, aim for thin slices and remember to remove any pits to prevent unwanted bitterness in the salad.
- Balancing the Dressing: Adjust the lemon juice and honey in the dressing to achieve your desired balance of tartness and sweetness. Taste as you go and tailor the flavors to your preference.
- Chilling for Maximum Flavor: Letting the salad chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving can enhance the flavors, allowing the ingredients to meld and the dressing to infuse the veggies.
- Play with Garnishes: Experiment with various garnishes like fresh herbs, chopped nuts, or seeds to add texture and visual appeal. The black sesame seeds offer a beautiful contrast and a slight crunch.
- Prepping Ahead: You can prepare the salad ingredients and dressing ahead of time, storing them separately. Combine just before serving to maintain the crispness of the vegetables.
- Inverting with Care: When inverting the salad bowl onto a serving plate, do it slowly and steadily to ensure a neat presentation. A flat, wide bowl works best for this technique.
- Customize with Vegetables: Feel free to add or substitute vegetables based on personal preferences or seasonal availability. This salad is versatile and can accommodate a variety of colorful, fresh veggies.