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We all know that I am not a fan of the vegetables. Yes, the vegetables. So when it comes to a salad, I need to top it with non-vegetable items in order to scarf it down.
Usually those toppings include french fries, cheese, bacon . . . you get the drift.
But sometimes, and I know this comes as a shock (!), I want a light side salad. Something refreshing and crisp.
I have an undeniable obsession with figs. They are probably my most favorite food. I love fresh figs, but I can only find them for about 17 minutes out of then entire year here in Pittsburgh.
I also love dried figs. They have a ton of fiber and make a great pre-workout snack early in the morning when I don’t have time for much more.
Another random salad fact about myself is that I do not like dressing. I don’t like creamy dressings, like ranch or french. I prefer something tart, and most of my salads are topped with a fruit-infused balsamic vinegar.
My top 2 favorites are pear balsamic and fig balsamic.
Keeping with the fig theme, this salad is topped with fig-infused white balsamic vinegar. So amazing.
I also need a hint of creaminess in my salad. It usually comes in the form of cheese, since I currently have half of Pennsylvania’s cheese supply in my fridge.
I like it. I like it alot.
I used gorgonzola, because is there really a better cheese out there?
I will answer my own question and say yes: gouda, havarti, any cheese that is ‘smoked,’ feta, fontina . . .
I could go on, but I’ll save my ramblings for later and subject my husband to them.
The red onions gave the salad the fresh, crisp taste I was dreaming of.
I am still a bit shocked with myself that I even eat an onion. For 26 years, I have despised them. I have wanted nothing to do with them.
Then my husband got into one of his food obsessions, and it included carmelized onions. I found myself making carmelized onions every day for 3 months straight, sometimes twice a day. One day I tried them, and to my surprise they were very tasty.
Now, never did I think I would eat a raw onion. I surprised myself yet again, and have been adding tiny chunks to different dishes.
I don’t even know me anymore.
If you’re looking for a salad that offers everything, this is it.
Creamy, crisp, sweet, and fresh.
Fig, Gorgonzola, and Red Onion Salad
Serves 2
2 cups green leaf lettuce
2 cups spring greens
2 oz crumbled gorgonzola
1/2 red onion, sliced
6 dried figs, chopped
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and combine. Top with fig dressing.
Dressing
1/4 cup fig-infused white balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Yes, it is shocking that I have made a recipe with vegetables. Yes, I consider a bowl of lettuce with cheese and fruit to be a vegatable.
It’s a start.
I’m Jessica and this is where I share my stuff. You will find a balance of healthy recipes, comfort food and indulgent desserts.
figs are wonderful in a salad. I use them on cheese platters all the time. I have also wrapped them in proscuitto, phyllo with cheese, baked and then drizzled with some honey. Stop by for a visit.
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You are so brave. And creative!! That salad looks GORGEOUS!!! Really… the colors are wonderful together!! Great job!
Amanda
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Yum, I LOVE figs!
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Isn’t it so funny how our tastes change over time? I used to hate peppers and now I am in love with them (yes IN LOVE ;)). This salad looks fantastic. I’ve actually never had a fig…I’m not sure how. I don’t like creamy dressings either and always stick to something vinegary (or I use salsa). Have a good Tuesday
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Mmmm…LOVE the combination of fig and blue cheese!
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This looks yummy, I love figs!
I was wondering where all the cheese was in the grocery store, now I know it’s hiding in your fridge!
And smoked cheddar, oh hell yes! YOu should also try bread cheese (I think that’s what it’s called). you can find it at TJ’s. It rocks
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Even though I’m a freak for veggies this looks delicious! I really like these kinds of salads because there’s always such a flavor dynamic with sweet, salty, tangy and creamy.
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This salad looks amazing. I love figs but have not had them with Gorgonzola. That sounds delish!!!
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Fig in the salad.. that sounds realy good :)
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What a beautiful salad! I love figs, and paired with gorgonzola cheese sounds amazing!
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You know, I have never tried figs outside of fig newtons. Now I really want to try them in a salad!
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YUM…i’ve been looking for a way to try fresh figs, and this looks like it’s a perfect way to do that! thanks again for another refreshing recipe :)
hope you have a wonderful day today!
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I really want to try that fruit infused balsamic vinegar! Where do you get it?
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Jessica — January 5th, 2010 @ 9:10 am
I find them at my local grocery store where the vinegars/oils are. They are SO good and there are alot of flavors.
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i dont like creamy dressings either! never was a fan of ranch, blue cheese, french all thsoe blahh do NOTHING for me! i LOVE figs and balsamic so the two together soun FANTASTIC…I just had figs on new years day brunch at my house!! they are SO good!
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It’s a GREAT start!! This is a very healthy salad, in my opinion. Like you, I love figs. And, I am not a huge onion fan (especially RAW onion) I like them cooked in a stir-fry, but on sandwiches and salads I prefer very little (talk about some seriously bad breath!). I think figs are a great pre-workout snack, good call on that one. Just not too many…or if you are like me, you may have some gas when you are running…yikes!
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hahah i love how you admit you aren’t a fan of veggies- this salad looks great. i never eat figs and i’m thinkin i should start :)
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I haven’t had a goood salad in a long time, they tend to turn me off during the winter months. I think I could eat this one right now though, the fig dressing sounds great.
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Haha…french fries on top of salad! I’ll have to give that one a try…yum. And gorgonzola is the best cheese ever!!
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Figs and cheese…love that combination! I like figs with goat cheese too (from the oven, mmm), or with brie, or…;)
xxx Julia (Taste of Living)
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I have never had a fig-don’t they come in cookie form too?
Hey- whatever works !
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I almost bought a fig to try the other day. But it looks so ugly! I gotta get past it. I shall NOT discriminate against food! Oh, the shame!
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I want that for lunch right now!!!
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YUMM! ive NEVER tried figs..where do you find them?
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Simple, fresh and delicious!
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Love it! I remember my own onion conversion – I hated them for years and now can’t imagine life without them (ok, that may be a slight exageration). Nice to see someone as cheese obsessed as me. Have you tried Cougar Gold (sharp white cheddar) or Mt. Townsend Cirrus? Delish!
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oh that salad sounds delicious!
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That sounds like a great combo!
Jenn
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The flavor combination in this salad is awesome! The sweet bite of fig has to be a delicious little treat for the tongue :) Yum!!!
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i need to try a fig. fresh and dried. your ensalada looks muy bonita! i actually never crave a salad, but i’m craving yours!
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I still have never tried a fig! Sure, I’ve had fig newtons, but I really need to pick up some of the real thing!
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CONFESSION: except for fig newtons.. Ive never had a “fig”. I need to get on that asap. Your salad looks incredibly fresh and yummy! :)
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I can’t believe all you peeps that have never had a fig!! Eat one and report back! :)
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Mmm yum!!! I love gorgonzola cheese..so good.
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Fig infused balsamic?! Must find and buy. Looks delish, per the ushe ;)
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I love how versatile salads can be. I have never tried fresh figs, only dried. I do like fig preserves, also. Pear balsamic sounds wonderful. I am a pear fanatic. And speaking of cheese and pears, brie with pears is amazing.
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Love the salad. Looks light and delicious! I love the fig balsamic. It has quite a lovely sweet undertone to it. Looks awesome girl!
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The 3rd sentence in your opening paragraph is hiliarious! You sound like my husband who refuses to eat anything green unless there is a giant piece of bread on the side to “disguise the flavor of the green stuff” as he puts it.
Figs in salads have always been a favorite of mine. Oh, and raw onions are my enemy…but caramelized onions are my bff. Happy New Year!
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In addition to the photos, just the *words* you used to describe that salad made me want some! Crisp, fresh, tart, CHEESE =) Yum! I feel like a huge failure of a food blogger in admitting this, but I’ve never tried figs. And I’m dying to! Should I buy them fresh? Dried? Where do I begin?!
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figs are SO FREAKING GOOD! this salad looks incredible! pb stuffed figs were definitely consumed quite a bit over the holidays…
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The salad looks delicious! I am not a fan of dressings I can’t see through either. I have never had a fresh fig before!
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Love every single combination in this salad. I need to get some good flavored balsamic. I just love the different flavors.
I always forget you live in PA too! If you ever are in Harrisburg, please remember that I am here and would love to meet you one day! :)
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I saw the title of this post and thought, “those are three of my favorite things!”…Great combo for a salad, and I’m with you, I really don’t care for dressing, it’s all about the ingredients of the salad itself!
I only wish I hated red onions, because after I eat them, I literally taste them for dayssss..
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you don’t like vegetables? Wow! That’s refreshing to hear!
But I’m glad you like figs…oh, those delicious, figgy little fruits! A good fig is almost orgasmic. I prefer fresh myself, but when the season is gone, this salad will have to do! Oh it looks delish!
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Wow- that looks restaurant quality good! I love dried fruit and figs and dates are at the top of my list!
I hate dressing but live for salad toppings and dried fruit and cheese sound perfect.
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WOW! I love the sounds and look of this salad. I absolutely adore figs!
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This looks delish! I’m a huge fan of figs :)
My husband is from Pittsburgh and we go there all the time, love it! His dad has a fig tree and I love the fresh figs in the summer time.
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I’m going to start searching for figs! That looks delicious!
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Two things:
1. That looks awesome.
2. I’m assumed fig newtons don’t count as having really tried figs, so as soon as I can stop shoveling dates in my mouth, I shall try them.
:)
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You know I can’t handle the onions, but man, this salad looks incredible anyway! Yum.
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you know me and gorg, bleh. dan’s mom makes a salad that i think you’ll like. it’s on the lighter side and includes pomegranate seeds and caramelized walnuts with a homemade balsamic dressing :)
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