Salad of Oranges, Avocado, Ricotta Salata, and Pepitas

I am slightly embarrassed to admit from where and how I acquired this recipe.  But I'll tell you.

It is from Oprah Winfrey. 

Well. To be more exact, it is from an article in "O, the Oprah Magazine" about Jennifer Aniston's two chefs. 

Not that there is anything wrong with Oprah! I am just not an Oprah girl.

OK. To be 100% truthful, I clicked on a link off of a gossip website that was discussing making fun of the article about, as this blogger calls it, Jennifer Aniston's 40 and Fabulous! Campaign to what she calls "The Mini Van Majority" (click here http://annehelenpetersen.wordpress.com/2009/06/11/the-minivan-majority/if you want a full analysis of the minivan majority).  

In the article in O Magazine, Jenn states that "the best restaurant in town is at her house" because "what occurs here feels closer in spirit to those spontaneous gatherings that used to crop up in that dorm room everybody was magnetically drawn to in college".  

Pretty nice dorm room.

The house is called "comfortable" and "warm" with a "kitchen sanctuary".  Jenn is often able to throw these often spontaneous dinner parties because she employs two chefs, who are also sisters, who rotate shifts every other day, unless there is a bigger party, which then they will both work.  And, also, because she has bajillions of dollars.

I mean, I totally understand what it's like to have a personal chef.  I have a personal chef myself. It's called ME.  And I don't have bajillions of dollars, although I food shop like I do. 

But the best part of the whole article experience is when, in the words (and usage of caps) by blogger Elaine Lui, "one of the chef's start CRYING OUT OF GRATITUDE in the end."

It really is quite funny.  But I've got to admit, the recipes were actually all quite good. Really good. I had my own dinner party with my parents, grandmother, and cousins at my new place and prepared these meals. I was nervous, trying out new things for the first time for a bunch of people, no less healthy recipes which can be very hit or miss. But these were a huge hit.  And this salad started it all off.  Delicious bibb lettuce was tossed very lightly in a flavorful orange vinaigrette and topped with crunchy pumpkin seeds, creamy avocado, and bright oranges. I recommend this fully.

Unfortunately, no one cried out of gratitude when eating it. Ah, well. 

Recipe adapted from O Magazine

Serves 2-4

1/4 cup pepitas (Mexican pumpkin seeds); available at most grocery stores or

Latin markets

2 1/2 oranges , preferably Cara Cara

1/2 shallot , minced

1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard

Pinch of salt

1/4 cup grapeseed oil

2 Tbsp. chopped dill or chives (optional)

3 cups chopped Bibb lettuce

3 cups chopped red-leaf lettuce

1 avocado , pitted and thinly sliced

4 ounces ricotta salata,  crumbled

Note: Cara Cara oranges are a type of navel orange with reddish flesh; if your local market doesn't have them, use regular oranges instead. 

Preheat oven to 350°. Spread pepitas in a single layer on a baking sheet, and toast in oven until crisp, about 8 minutes. (Alternatively, toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat until crisp, 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep them from burning.) Let cool in pan.

Meanwhile, cut peel and pith from 2 oranges; slice thinly and set aside. Juice remaining 1/2 orange. Make a vinaigrette by whisking together orange juice, shallot, mustard, salt, grapeseed oil, and dill or chives (if using) in a medium bowl.

To assemble salad: Mix bibb and red leaf; toss lightly with most of vinaigrette. Add oranges and avocado slices; sprinkle pepitas and cheese on top. Serve with remaining vinaigrette on the side.

Comments

[Kaytee]

I'm definitely not an Oprah girl either, but I can't deny that the salad sounds pretty good.

[Tracy @ Sugarcrafter]

Haha yes, it would be nice to have bajillions of dollars like her. ;-) The salad looks great!!

[Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction]

Sounds like a tasty salad, regardless of where it came from! I keep trying to convince my hubby that being his personal chef should be my full time job... He hasn't quite gotten on board with that idea yet. Some day!

[Sara]

This does look good. Sometimes the best recipes come from the most unlikely sources. I have a great penne vodka recipe from Weight Watchers.

[Eliana]

This salad looks like a winner!

[The Duo Dishes]

Sounds really fresh and summery. Yum.

[Natasha - 5 Star Foodie]

The salad looks excellent! You never know where you'll find a good recipe!

[Jennifer]

I've always thought Ricotta Salata would make a great name for an Italian cartoon character. I'm not sure why.

Your salad looks lovely!

[Wendy]

The salad sounds great. I can totally understand the chef crying out of gratitude. It is a pretty cushy job being a personal chef vs. a restaurant chef.

[jenn]

Lovely salad. I wish I had this today. The weather here is just so hot, but the wildfires aren't helping conditions at all. I need something refreshing like this.

[grace]

oh, oprah. you’re sassy and you make a mean salad, and that’s about the extent of my knowledge of you. regardless of the source, i’m in love with this salad for one simple reason—it contains avocado. :)

[Andrea@WellnessNotes]

It's pretty interesting how you got the recipe... ;) But it sounds great! And the photo is beautiful! :)

[natalia]

Ciao ! This salad sound so delicious !!

[Ashley]

Mmm this looks good - juicy, crunchy, cheesy yum!

[Becky O.]

this looks so delicious and refreshing. i love pumpkin seeds and i bet they add a great crunch. :) plus how can anyone resist ricotta!

[Cathy]

Oh God. I think I'm in the minivan majority. Now I'm going to be depressed all day - thanks Teanna. I guess to make myself feel better I'll just retreat to my kitchen sanctuary and make myself this delicious salad!

[Juliana]

This salad looks terrific, like the addition of pepitas and orange...yummie!

[lisaiscooking]

Hmm, yes, my personal chef has the same name (me). This does look like a great salad. The avocado and orange is a nice match.

[isa]

This salad looks so delicious and refreshing!

[Alta]

Okay, so Oprah recipe or not, this is my kind of salad. Looks absolutely delish.