Watercress & Sugar Snap Salad with Warm Sesame-Shallot Vinaigrette

Ingredients

• 8 ounces fresh sugar snap peas, trimmed (about 2 cups; see Tip)
• 2 large bunches watercress, woody stems trimmed (4 ounces or 4 loosely packed cups)
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil, or canola oil
• 4 large shallots, thinly sliced into rings
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup crumbled hard, aged goat cheese , or Asiago cheese

Preparation

1. Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add peas and cook until bright green, 30 seconds. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water until cool. Transfer to a large bowl, add watercress and toss to combine.
2. Heat peanut (or canola) oil in a medium nonstick skillet over low heat; add shallots and cook very slowly, stirring frequently, until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Stir in vinegar, sesame oil and salt; cook until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Pour the warm dressing over the peas and watercress; toss well. Top with cheese and serve. 

Recipe found at: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/watercress_sugar_snap_salad_with_warm_sesame_shallot_vinaigrette.html

Sweet Potato Black Bean Salad

Ingredients

• 1 lb sweet potato, cooked and diced.
• 1 1/2 cups black beans
• 1 cup roasted bell pepper, julienned (combination of red, yellow and green would be best)
• 1 medium papaya, peeled and sliced
• 3/4 cup watercress
• 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 3 tablespoons garlic oil
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Cover and let sit at room temperature for 25 minutes, or refrigerate for 1 hour to let flavors combine.
3. Serve over fresh greens and garnish with tortilla chips.

Recipe found at: http://www.food.com/recipe/sweet-potato-black-bean-salad-91157

Wilted Watercress Salad

Ingredients

• 2 bunches watercress (Try to get mature watercress as shown in the photo, not the baby watercress that Whole Foods carries. It will hold up better to the hot dressing.)
• 3-4 slices bacon ( omit this if you wish)
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 4 teaspoons sugar
• Salt and pepper
• A pinch of ground mustard
• A pinch of paprika (sweet)

Method

1 Rinse thoroughly the watercress, removing old leaves and thick stems. Set aside in a serving bowl.
2 Heat a small stick-free pan on medium heat and cook the bacon until done, several minutes on each side. Remove the bacon from the pan and put on a paper towel. Keep the bacon fat in the pan.
3 Add the cider vinegar and sugar to the bacon fat. Stir to dissolve. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, add a pinch of ground mustard and a pinch of paprika. Taste and adjust seasoning. This is a sweet-sour dressing, so if it is too acidic, add a bit more sugar, if too sweet, add a bit more vinegar.
4 Bring the dressing to a simmer. Pour over the watercress. Crumble the bacon over the top. Toss and serve.
Serves 4 to 6.

Recipe found at: http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/wilted_watercress_salad/
 

Avocado and Watercress Salad

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup rice vinegar (not seasoned)
• 1 tablespoon grated sweet onion such as Vidalia or Walla Walla (use large holes of a box grater)
• 1/4 cup finely grated peeled Gala apple (use small holes of box grater)
• 4 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 6 cups watercress (thin stems and leaves only; from 1 large bunch)
• 1 firm-ripe avocado

Preparation

• Stir together vinegar, onion, apple, soy sauce, and sugar until sugar has dissolved, then stir in oil.
• Just before serving, toss watercress with enough dressing to coat. Quarter, pit, and peel avocado, then cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Gently toss with watercress.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Avocado-and-Watercress-Salad-242342#ixzz28jns75jO

Radish and Watercress Salad

6 servings
8 oz. watercress
3 T. olive oil or vegetable oil
1 T. white wine vinegar
1/4 tsp. salt
Freshly-ground pepper
12 radishes, sliced

Remove tough stems from watercress; break sprigs into bite-size pieces. Arrange watercress on plates. Mix oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Pour over radishes; toss. Spoon radish mixture over watercress.