Friday, June 22, 2012

Ensalada Mixta (Mixed Vegetable Salad with Lime Dressing) : IHCC

This week over at I Heart Cooking Clubs (IHCC) is all about salad, with the theme "Summer Salad" where we are cooking from Rick Bayless's recipes. Something cool and nourishing is definitely up my books, we are experiencing really hot and humid weather right now. It has not rained for weeks, well, it did rain yesterday, not a heavy downpour but just a light rain and it lasted for about only fifteen minutes, I do not count that as rained at all! And the weather gets even worse with the current haze going on! Some areas have been asked to go easy with the usage of water. Hopefully the rain will come very soon. 



Made some pasta for dinner today and this simple salad. This is a simple lime dressing with the combination of lime juice, olive oil, salt, pepper and chopped fresh coriander. I increased the chopped coriander to double the amount, as I really love corianders. And more black pepper too! 



Rick Bayless has given a number of mixed vegetable combinations and I have selected the one with red potatoes, carrots and eggs, simply because I have all the ingredients at hand. And I happen to love hard-boiled eggs in my salads!  :)
You may check out all the different combinations by Rick Bayless, just click on the link at the recipe below. Or create your own combination.


The carrots and red potatoes are steamed first, leave to cool and mix with the dressing, placed on top a bed of lettuce and sprinkle the top with the egg slices, some red onions rings and cheese.


The simple dressing is really refreshing and goes well with the vegetables. I really enjoyed this plate of lovely salad. In fact, I had this as my dinner today, it is quite filling actually, with potatoes and eggs. Did not eat the pasta that I've cooked for dinner, the hot weather is making me hot and restless, especially after being in the kitchen, cooking and cleaning up, and did not have the mood to eat anything else, but was really happy to have this plate of vegetable salad for my dinner! Yum!


Rick Bayless @IHCC button rounded


Please visit IHCC to see all the wonderful salads the others have come up with.


I'm sharing this post with :
Recipe Box 2 hosted by Bizzy Bakes
Full Plate Thursday hosted by Miz Helen's Country Cottage


Ensalada Mixta (Mixed Vegetable Salad with Lime Dressing)
(source from : Frontera, Rick Bayless)
The vegetables in this salad can be prepared 1 or 2 days in advance and then mixed with the dressing just before serving.
About 2 cups (total) :
carrots, peeled and sliced diagonally, 1/8 inch thick
small boiling potatoes like the red-skinned ones, sliced 1/8 inch thick
beets, peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick (I did not use this)


Dressing :
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 cup vegetable oil, preferably part olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
a generous 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1-1/2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh coriander (cilantro) or flat-leaf parsley (optional)


Garnish
6 leaves Romaine or leaf lettuce
1 small bunch of watercress, large stems removed (optional)
1 hard-boiled egg, sliced 1/8-inch thick
1 thick slice of red onion, broken into rings
2 tablespoons crumbled Mexican queso fresco or other fresh cheese like feta or farmer's cheese (optional)


Directions :
The vegetables : In a large saucepan, set up a vegetable steamer over an inch of water and set over medium-high heat. When the water begins to boil, place the prepared carrots, potatoes and/or beets in separate shallow piles on the steamer rack. (If using beets, keep them away from the others, or you'll have a lot red vegetables). Steam, tightly covered, until the vegetables are tender but still retain a little firmness, 8 to 12 minutes, depending on their cut and condition. If one vegetable is done before the other, remove it with a large spoon or tongs. Cool the vegetables in separate groupings on a large tray. 

The dressing : A few minutes before serving, measure the lime juice, oil, salt, pepper and optional fresh coriander or parsley into a small bowl or a jar with tight-fitting lid; whisk or shake until thoroughly blended. Pour onto the vegetables and mix well.

Garnish and presentation : Line a large serving platter with lettuce leaves. Once again, toss the vegetable mixture with the dressing, then scoop it onto the platter. Garnish the edges with the optional watercress. Top with slices of hard-boiled egg, rings of red onion, and a sprinkling of the optional fresh cheese.


25 comments:

  1. yeah, it 'rained' a little here too 2 days ago, you're right..the ground not even wet..lime dressing, how refreshing it sounds! i stepped on the weighing scale today..i've gained weight! sei lor! must eat lighter now..dont be surprised that i'm going to bake my cakes in very small portion now! hahaha!

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  2. I love hard boiled eggs in my salad too - this looks wonderful!
    We got a real downpour last night that broke the heat, thank goodness.
    (Although the thunder scared the poor pooches) ;-)

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  3. looks so delicious! i love a good salad! yum!

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  4. It rained here, the other day and when it came down, there was no doubt how hard it was raining. Not weather to be out in.

    I love hard boiled eggs and this is a great salad.

    I am in the midst of making egg salad, presently - no, not at the computer. :)

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  5. Nice fresh salad and love the lime dressing!
    We, here in mumbai, are also on a rain-break right now :D and it's hot as hell. The humidity is making it worse. This salad looks like a great idea for lunch.
    Thanx for sharing
    xoxo anuja

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  6. eileen@hundred eighty degreesSaturday, June 23, 2012

    I can have that for dinner too! Looks great!

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  7. Hard boiled eggs in a salad are always my favorite! The lime dressing does sound really refreshing with all the summer heat we've been having. That sure is a good lookin' salad!

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  8. What a perfect salad. It has great color and your dressing sounds delicious. Have a great weekend. Blessings...Mary

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  9. This is a lovely looking salad and I bet it's very refreshing on a hot day. One I'll have to try. And I agree with Kim - you can't go wrong with hard boiled eggs in a salad!

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  10. Lime dressing sounds like a winner. Perfect summer dressing in my book!

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  11. I love coriander too. I think that salad with the potatoes and the dressing makes such a healthy but still filling meal, that I can understand why you never got to eat the pasta as well.

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  12. Your salad looks so appetising and I like the plain simple lime dressing. You're right, the hot spell really spoils our appetites!

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  13. Can I request for you to make this salad again for our next makan makan? yum yum..special request, more eggs pls..

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  14. Lovely salad and great dressing!Kisses,dear!

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  15. who wouldn't love salad if you got to eat this!

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  16. I had lots of salads these days too! They are refreshing and helped cool our bodies during these hot and humid days. Luckily it rained quite heavily this morning although not for long...well better than none!

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  17. I really love the combination in the dressing. Seems really simple, and I would want to try it sometime. And I also love eggs in my salad.

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  18. Love salads and this one looks wonderful! And the lime dressing sounds fab, and would be very refreshing on a hot day. I have an award for you on my latest post! :)

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  19. Your Salad looks awesome, just perfect for the summertime. The lime dressing would be so refreshing. Hope you are having a great week end and thank you so much for sharing on Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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  20. I made this lime and cilantro dressing too and really loved it. It looks amazing with the eggs and potatoes on your salad! ;-)

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  21. I love seeing hard boiled eggs and red onion on salads! Very nice looking salad!

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