SALADS

_____

Salads ˇ some of these, like the first, are main course salads.

Salad in a Red Dress

Makes a lovely Mother's Day or warm weather's day brunch or dinner. Serves 4.

2 striploin steaks (about 1/2 lb each)

1/3 cup Dan T's Smoked Chipotle (optional)

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled

1/4 cup Dan T's Raspberry Chipotle

1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

2 pears, thinly sliced

Cider Vinaigrette

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

12 cups washed mixed greens such as arugula, Belgian endive, dandelion, frisée, radicchio

Marinate steaks in Dan T's Smoked for 2 - 4 hours (optional). Remove from fridge one half hour before cooking. Grill on high 4 - 6 minutes per side (depending on thickness) or till done. Set aside for 10 minutes, then slice along the bias.Meanwhile toast pecans: Place in a non-stick pan and heat over medium-low till starting to brown, about 10 minutes.

Mix together vinaigrette ingredients and toss greens lightly to taste (you'll probably have a little vinaigrette left over). Plate each serving individually: arrange beef slices, then pear slices in a spiral pattern on top of greens. Scatter cheese, onions and pecans (about 2 tbsp per person) on top. Center a dollop (about 1 tbsp) of Raspberry Chipotle on top of pear. Serve with a fresh baguette (Ace Bakery makes a delicious loaf).

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Smoky Chicken Caesar

Caesar salads are more popular than ever. Here's a mildly smoky Caesar, with a lighter twist on a traditional favorite. Skip the bacon bits, the crutons and use a lighter lettuce such as red leaf or California Mix. Serve with a baguette for a refreshing spring or summer dinner.

The Dressing

1 egg

1/2 tsp dried mustard

2 cloves garlic

2 tbsp red wine vinegar

2 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed

2 tbsp Dan T's Smoked Sauce

1/3 to 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

The Chicken

4 - 6 deboned chicken breasts

1/4 cup Dan T's Smoked Sauce

1/4 cup of The Dressing above

The Salad

one large head red leaf lettuce

or about 18 cups California mix

1 sweet red pepper, sliced into strips

2 ripened plum tomatoes, sliced into strips

3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

For the dressing: Combine first six ingredients in a blender and chop for 10 seconds. On mix setting, add oil in a thin stream.

For the chicken: Mix dressing with Dan T's Smoked. Add chicken and marinate for 30 minutes. (For a spicier version, just coat chicken with Smoked Sauce.) Grill chicken on the barbecue 4 minutes each side or till done. Let stand 5 minutes, then slice chicken on the bias.

For the salad: Toss greens with remaining dressing (or to taste), add tomatoes,

peppers and cheese and toss some more. Plate salad and arrange chicken in a spiral pattern on top. Serves 4 - 6.

Tip: Ripen tomatoes by leaving them on the counter in a basket of apples or bananas. The gasses that the fruit give off naturally ripen the tomatoes.

Do not leave out chicken for more than 30 minutes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Warm Mediterranean Pasta Salad

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1/2 cup Dan T's Inferno Balsamic Herb

10 - 12 sun dried tomatoes

1 cup of artichoke hearts

350 g of your favorite pasta

Boil water and cook pasta till done. Grate cheese. Cut artichokes into medium-sized chunks and sun dried tomatoes into small pieces. Mix cheese, Dan T's Balsamic Herb, artichokes and sun dried tomatoes in a serving bowl. When pasta is cooked, drain and toss with other ingredients. Serve warm. Serves 8 - 10 as a side dish. Excellent with Cinnamon Steak. (See Meats.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Peppery Potato Salad

4 cloves garlic

4 potatoes

2 tbsp yogurt

2 tbsp mayonnaise

1/4 cup chives, chopped

1/4 cup Dan T's Smoked Cayenne-Chipotle Sauce

Roast garlic in 400° oven for 20 minutes or until golden. Peel and cube potatoes and microwave on high for 12 minutes or till done. Cool potatoes. Mash garlic and mix together with remaining ingredients. Pour dressing over potatoes and mix well. Salt & pepper to taste. Serve warm or cold. Serves 4. Great with Smoked Ribs.(See Meats.)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sassy Classy Caesar

For a lighter Caesar, forget the bacon bits, the crutons and use a lighter lettuce

such as red or California Mix.

1 egg

1/2 tsp dried mustard

2 cloves garlic

2 tbsp red wine vinegar

2 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed

2 tbsp Dan T's Spiced Cayenne Sauce

1/3 to 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

18 cups California mix or red leaf lettuce

Combine first six ingredients in a blender and chop for 10 seconds. On mix setting,

add oil in a thin stream. Wash and spin salad greens. In a bowl, combine lettuce, cheese and dressing to taste. Serves 8.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

_____