Almonds + greens + ?? = delicious.

July 9, 2012 1:52 AM

I have two kinds of almonds: smoked and wasabi soy. Help me build delicious salads around them.

I picked up some almonds for snacking during a long trip. I didn't end up eating them, and now that I'm home I want to use them in salads instead of eating them alone. What exciting flavor combinations can I make?

Difficulty level: vegetarian.

posted by rebekah to Food & Drink (5 answers total)

Spinach and mandarin orange salads always benefit from toasted almonds.
posted by RavinDave at 2:56 AM on July 9, 2012 [1 favorite]

Anything with a ginger (and miso, citrus, or soy) dressing would go well with the wasabi almonds. Spinach with carrots and radishes would probably be a good base. Add some mandarin oranges and some hearts of palm or watercress if you want to.

If you like eggplant, this roasted eggplant and goat cheese salad looks delicious.

I think smoked almonds would also go really well with dried fruit and maybe blue cheese in a salad.

This is giving me great ideas about how to use up some of the 10 pounds of almonds I have...
posted by SugarAndSass at 5:26 AM on July 9, 2012

I think both of those flavors have umami and bitter notes that would harmonize nicely with frisee and goat cheese. Chop either one up fine, of course; sprinkle on the frisee, and crumbled cheese, and definitely add something sweet to contrast. This time of year you could add finely sliced nectarines for something special. Dressing - miso or champagne or citrus vinaigrette.
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:47 AM on July 9, 2012

I sometimes make a green salad (baby greens, lettuce, whatever is on hand) with wasabi peas, grapefruit, and avocado. It's a great combination. You could easily swap out the wasabi peas for your wasabi almonds. I usually just serve it with a light lemon vinaigrette.
posted by marlys at 11:48 AM on July 9, 2012

I adore this wheatberry salad recipe that uses roasted almonds, celery, and dried fig. The smoked almonds would go.
posted by maryr at 12:00 PM on October 22, 2012