Fabulous Food Friday: Little Nutty Salad

Today’s Fabulous Food Friday is all about the Little Nutty Salad from the Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. This has been  the post that solidified what I was feeling – I don’t take enough pictures at Disney! I wish I had a picture of this dish from Disney so you could compare. Mine doesn’t look too bad, but the one at the restaurant is prettier.

This salad is one of our family favorites during the warmer months. It is a quick and easy meal to make and it is something the whole family enjoys. The hardest part of this recipe is making the dressing which still not to time consuming or complicated, a couple of ingredients (walnuts, vinegar, honey and onions) and a small blender or food processor and you are all done. The key to this recipe is to toast the walnuts, toasting the nuts brings out the nutty flavors and aromas that tie the recipe together. The recipe for the dressing makes a whole cruet full and it does keep for about 10 days in the fridge, so now you have homemade salad dressing to enjoy as well.

The rest of the salad us simple, some of your favorite salad greens, grilled chicken, cheddar cheese and some candied walnuts. Candied nuts are simple to make, toss the nut of your choice (for this recipe walnuts, but it works with all types of nuts) with some maple syrup. Spread the coated nuts on a cookie sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes in a 300° oven. I always have to make extra candied walnuts or else the kids (and I) eat them all before they ever make it to the salad.

I firmly believe that food at Disney tastes better but this one translates pretty nicely to a make at home dish. Sadly this is not on the menu at the present time but you never know when it will make an appearance again. If you would like a copy of the recipe, send me an email or find me over on Facebook (www.facebook.com/mickeybymel) and send me a message. This meal is quick, easy and delicious!