Chicory Apple Blue Cheese Candied Garlic Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

For the salad:

- 2 heads of chicory, separated into leaves

- 1 apple, thinly sliced

- 1/2 cup crumbled Shaft's Blue Cheese (or any other blue cheese of your choice)

- 2 tablespoons fresh fine herbs (such as parsley, chives, and tarragon), chopped

For the candied garlic vinaigrette:

- 6 cloves garlic, peeled

- 2 tablespoons olive oil

- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

- 1 teaspoon honey

- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. To make the candied garlic, place the peeled garlic cloves on a small baking sheet. Drizzle them with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat.

3. Roast the garlic cloves in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and caramelized. Remove from the oven and let them cool.

4. In a small bowl, mash the roasted garlic cloves with a fork until they form a paste.

5. To make the candied garlic vinaigrette, in a separate bowl, combine the mashed garlic paste, balsamic vinegar, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Whisk until well combined.

6. In a large salad bowl, arrange the chicory leaves and apple slices. Sprinkle the crumbled blue cheese and fine herbs over the top.

7. Drizzle the candied garlic vinaigrette over the salad, tossing gently to coat the ingredients evenly.

8. Serve the chicory and apple salad immediately as a refreshing appetizer or side dish.

The combination of bitter chicory, sweet apple, tangy blue cheese, and the rich flavor of the candied garlic vinaigrette creates a delightful balance of flavors in this salad. Enjoy!

Candied garlic vinaigrette is a type of dressing or sauce that combines the flavors of sweet, caramelized garlic with tangy vinaigrette ingredients. It is a versatile dressing that can be used on salads, roasted vegetables, grilled meats, or as a marinade. Here's a basic recipe for making candied garlic vinaigrette:

Ingredients:

- 1/2 cup garlic cloves, peeled

- 2 tablespoons olive oil

- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

- 1 tablespoon honey

- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Place the peeled garlic cloves in a small baking dish or oven-safe skillet.

3. Drizzle the garlic cloves with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

4. Toss the garlic cloves to coat them evenly in the oil.

5. Roast the garlic in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until they become soft and golden brown. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.

6. Once the garlic cloves are roasted, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly.

7. In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard until well combined.

8. Add the roasted garlic cloves to the bowl and use a fork or a masher to mash them into a paste.

9. Continue whisking the mixture until the garlic is well incorporated into the dressing and you achieve a smooth consistency.

10. Taste the vinaigrette and adjust the seasonings according to your preference, adding more salt, pepper, or honey if desired.

11. Transfer the candied garlic vinaigrette to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate it until ready to use.

You can drizzle the candied garlic vinaigrette over salads, roasted vegetables, or grilled meats for added flavor. The sweet and savory combination of the caramelized garlic with the tangy vinaigrette creates a delicious dressing that enhances a variety of dishes.