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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.
[…] The Monica Salad […]
[…] The Monica Salad […]
Tropical kale Smoothie!!
Snoothies
I would try that amazing parsley dressing!
I’d make a green smoothie!
The parsley dressing
The first thing I would make would be a super protein fruit blended smoothie! My favorite !
The salad sounds great. I am willing to try the dressing , howver, I have never in my life cared for blue cheese . Is there a substitute for anther kind of cheese that would go well. And,did you make your own candied walnuts or buy them? Thank you.
Thank you the recipe!
I would make this parsley dressing, it sounds so fresh and amazing!
Pesto or a Basil Salad Dressing that is so yummy!
I would make this dressing with my new blender. The salad sounds amazing!
hmm.. either a smoothie or fresh homemade salsa! 🙂
A milkshake:)
I’d make a great fruit smoothie!
I would make this beautiful salad dressing first of course. Then many other tasty things!
I would make this fabulous salad dressing and salad. I would also be curious to see Monica’s recipe and try it, just to see how close you are to it.
After that… My homemade mayonaise so I can make my potato salad. After all spring is upon us and my favorite season, summer is just around the corner!
How cute! I’d make anything that will fit-smoothies, dressings and sauces.
I’d make banana whip! I’ve had such a craving for that lately! Then I’d make this parsley dressing, because I’m very intrigued by it! Thanks for the recipe
I’d love to win this blender, and the first thing I’d make would be hummus. My husband and kids are eating it like crazy lately! Homemade would be a real money-saver.
I would definitely make this dressing! It looks too good not to!
Well heck, I would love to try this recipe. ????
I’d make this salad and dressing! I love salads, especially in the spring!
I would make a milkshake to celebrate. 🙂
I would make a cilantro ranch salad dressing that my daughter swoons over!
I make all my own salad dressings, so I would definitely use this for salad dressings. Looks interesting.
I would love to start making my own dressings more often.
A smoothie!!!!
My husband purchased a Vitamix for me as an anniversary gift after much begging because I fell for the salesman’s song and dance at Costco hook, line & sinker. For months, I researched, watched QVC to see how well it worked and he finally made the purchase. $600 later, mine still doesn’t quite blend everything like theirs did, I still have tiny pieces of food left unblended and the motor makes a horribly loud noise as if it is grinding improperly. It was sent back once already, but the problem persists. Now it sits gathering dust because I hate the sound it makes and I don’t want my husband to feel bad thinking he made a bad choice. Clearly, I SHOULD have looked into the Blendtec line 🙁 I would make a fresh fruit & veggie smoothie most likely if I were fortunate enough to win. I have MS and I am trying to eat and cook healthier for me and my family.
I would make a bomb diggity pesto!
The dressing sounds interesting. The parsley was a surprising ingredient, would be a great salad for St. Patrick’s Day!
I would make my morning smoothie without having to constantly stop and stir things up because my blender is really junky! I need a Blendtec in my life!!
Oh my gosh, YUM! First: THIS DRESSING
Second: Milkshakes! Life’s about balance!
I would use it to make one of my chocolate peanut butter Advocare protein shakes!
I would make a smoothie! My current blender can’t handle kale so that would be awesome!
I would make the parsley dressing! We are trying to learn a healthier lifestyle and this Blendtec Blender would Help!!
I would love to try to make this parsley dressing and the salad you shared with us in my new Blendtec Design 625 Blender! I have not owned a blender in a long time. I hope that you choose me! We are trying a healthier life style and this would really help!
The Monica Salad sounds amazing! The dressing for the salad would be the first thing I would love to make with a new Blendtec.
Yum.
Smoky honey paprika vinaigrette ????
This dressing!
I would probably make some baby food if I had a Blendtec.
This dressing…been wanting to make my own!
I would make this dressing then my smoothie!