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So, there are certain people in my life that make amazing salads. My sister-in-law, Sarah, is one of these people. It doesn’t matter what is in the salad, this lady has a way with her fresh produce.
Another one of these people is my friend Monica, who, bless her heart, brought me this salad and a lasagna right after I had my baby. The lasagna was very good, but you guys….this salad was AMAZING. It was unique because the combination of ingredients within the salad was something I’ve never had before. So many different textures and flavors going on but it was the parsley dressing that made this salad so incredibly good.
Who knew, right?! Parsley? In salad dressing?
Yes, it’s a thing and yes, it’s good.
Now, this isn’t the *exact* recipe, but more of a copycat version made from my hazy, post-baby, exhausted, doped up memory of what Monica brought me that Sunday night. I did ask her for the recipe, but got a wicked craving for it impatient and less than 24 hours after asking, made my own version.
YOU GUYS. It’s good. The candied walnuts, blue cheese and dressing are what take this salad over the top.
Even my husband was like “this cheese in this salad is amazing!” –>coming from a man who hates smelly cheese! #miracle
Here’s how to make it:
So, the first thing you’re going to want to do is grab a high powered blender to make the salad dressing. I used this Mini WildSide Jar with my Blendtec Blender…the perfect size for smaller quantities!
Into your blender, add in some parsley. 3 cups loosely packed. This is a parsley dressing after all.
Add in some garlic,
lime juice,
olive oil,
sugar, salt and pepper.
Oh, and I added vinegar too. Lets pretend I didn’t forget to take a picture of that step.
So, now comes the fun part…add the lid and blend!
You can’t tell but this blender is on, working it’s magic 🙂
30 seconds later and we have some awfully green, awfully amazing dressing.
So, grab your dressing and assemble your salad.
Into a large bowl {or two}, add in some lettuce, mushrooms, gorgonzola cheese, candied walnuts, red onion, avocado and celery. Weird combo, I know, but trust me! It’s good.
Drizzle with the dressing and get ready to LIVE. Forreals.
Store any extra dressing in an air tight container in the fridge.
Printable recipe below, friends! Have a great weekend 🙂
The Monica Salad
Ingredients
For the parsley vinaigrette:
For the salad:
- 5 oz pre washed lettuce I used a super greens blend
- 1 ripe avocado diced
- 4 large baby bella mushrooms sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion finely diced
- 1/3 cup roughly chopped candied walnuts plain walnuts are ok too!
- 1/3 cup crumbled gorgonzola
- 1 stalk celery finely diced
Instructions
- Place all ingredients for dressing into a high powered blender. Blitz until completely smooth. You may need to shake the blender a time or two to get things moving and drizzle in an extra tablespoon of olive oil. Once completely smooth, set aside.
- For the salad, add pre washed lettuce to a large bowl. Top with remaining ingredients and then drizzle generously with dressing. Serve immediately.
I’d make honey mustard salad dressing!
With the Blendtec Blender using the Mini WildSide Jar, I would make homemade hummus! I’ve always wanted to try making it myself 🙂
We love green protein smoothies in the mornings with lots of spinach and frozen fruit! I’d love to try them out with a high powered blender like this!!
I would love to start juicing again. I have an old school juicer that’s a pain to clean!
Parsley vinaigrette!
Definitely the parsley dressing. I love salads and am always looking for new dressings. I’ve already printed out the recipe. Bring on the Blendtec and company!
At the top of the recipe, you listed blue cheese. Is the gorgonzola the same thing? What is the difference? Taste? Not a lover of blue cheese.
Would definitely use it for smoothies!
This salad sounds awesome! I think I would want to try the parsley dressing if I won!
I would make crepe batter for two, and serve them with homemade strawberry jam!
I would make a green smoothie! Perfect start of the day for energy.
I’d make a green smoothie in my mini wildside jar.
We love smoothies!!!! We make them everyday!
I would make a smoothy first for my kiddos!
I would love to make this parsley dressing in my Blendtec Blendar, using the mini wildside jar. Parsley is refreshing, I can imagine how fresh and amazing this would be. i also blend a lot of soups as my husband has had strokes and make sit easier for him to eat.
Wow!!! What to make first, that is a hard choice. I love me some salads and this salad looks awesome AND spring is almost here (salad time definitely)…so, the dressing wins first place. BUT the smoothie is always good so that comes in as a very close second. Thanks so much for this opportunity!
I would definitely make the silkiest smoothest no-bake cheesecake. Yum-o!
Green smoothies for the win!
Pesto for sure! Can’t go wrong with that 🙂
Smoothies, salsa. Repeat.
I would make banana ice cream. You know the one where you blend frozen bananas until smooth. Maybe add a couple chocolate chips at the end for a frozen banana effect. ????
Thanks Lauren for all your wonderful recipes! Your littles are gorgeous!!!
I have dreamed of the different type of creations I would use the blendtec for! I think I would have to try your yummy sounding parsley vinnaigrette first since I have yet to make my own salad dressing!
The first thing I make would be smoothies. Hubby and I are addicted to them! Would love to with. This blender and put my old delapeted one to rest!
This recipe for sure! Yum.
I would make a green smoothie. I have one almost every morning for breakfast!
I think I need to make this salad dressing as soon as I get this blender (please, please, pretty please). Then, I think I want to try it with cilantro. I’d get it all to myself then…Milkshakes for dessert!
Think I would make that gorgeous parsley dressing!
I would give this salad dressing a whirl!
I would make that parsley salad dressing!
That green dressing is absolutely gorgeous – I wish I had yarn that shade. I’d blend up that great-looking dressing in between knitting something beautiful!
I am sure I would make this marvelous salad first if I win the blender. Oh I hope I win.
I’d make homemade redpepper cashew dip! And then this parsley dressing—-holy wow that’s gotta be flavor-town!
I would make this dressing! It looks amazing!
A personal smoothie!!
If I were to win this awesome blender, the first item prepared would be the Monica salad dressing as it would be a tasty addition for my healthy diet plan.
I would use the Mini WildSide Jar to puree the ingredients for potato leek soup.
I would make the parsley dressing for the Monica salad! I wish I had the ingredients on hand so I could make it for this mornings breakfast!! 🙂
The first thing I would make in my new Blendtec Blender using the Mini WildSide Jar is the Monica Salad dressing!!! Then onto smoothies for breakfast every morning!
This salad looks amazing. I make one that is similar but different…
I add sliced Bosc pears and don’t add the avocado. The dressing sounds delicious. I look forward to trying it. Thanks.
I would love Salsa for Two just like the Mexican Resturant serves. Quick and easy with help from Blendtec.
Definitely would make the Monica salad dressing first! And then all kinds of other salad dressings. Yum!
I would make healthy smoothies for my kids in the mornings with the Blendtec.
Smoothies! My kIds love them!
Smoothies for me and my husband!
The first thing I’d make in my Blendtec blender and Mini WildSide Jar is a delicious green goddess smoothie! This seems perfect for making a single serve breakfast on the go!
Roasted red pepper hummus!! This salad looks amazing!
I will make a (slightly) modified version of this salad dressing. I haven’t bought a bottled dressing for a few years now. Love homemade dressings.
And love your beautiful family photos as well
I would love to try this salad with the dressing! Thanks so much for the chance!
I would probably make this dressing and then hummus
First thing I’d make is a margarita to go with the steaks I’d cook on my new BBQ!! 🙂