Hearts and Flowers Salad

This salad mixes simple ingredients for an elegant salad that is sure to make your guests feel extra special. We used whole pansies and rose petals in our salad, but there are a wide variety of edible flowers available. When choosing your flowers, make sure that the flowers are edible and have not been exposed to herbicides or pesticides. They can come from your own garden, a florist who specializes in edible flowers, or even from your local grocery store, many which carry edible blossoms all year long.

3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 crushed garlic cloves
1 teaspoon crumbled dried Italian herbs
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
5 cups mixed greens
3 ounces thinly sliced Cheddar cheese, cut into small and medium heart shapes
2 ounces shaved ham, cut into small and medium heart shapes
Edible flowers, flower petals, and buds

Place the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, herbs, sugar, salt, and pepper in a medium cruet or jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake briskly until mixed. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Wash the greens well and spin dry. Place the greens in a bowl and toss gently to mix. Add the Cheddar and ham hearts and toss. Very carefully wash the flower petals and buds. Shake to dry and toss gently with the salad. Shake the dressing well and pour over the salad or serve on the side.

Makes 6 servings.

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes


Recipe of the Week Archive