Expert: Teri Davis Newman - 6/23/2008

Question
Hello, I am hosting a 50th birthday party for my husband and have my menu ready except for the salad.  I want a SIMPLE, but ELEGANT salad.  I do not want a ton of vegees thrown on top of greens.  I will be using mixed greens, but am unsure what to put on top.  I am serving an international cheese tray and a nice vegee tray as horsdeouvres; and a chicken, beef and seafood dish as the 3 main courses.  Any thoughts?  I was thinking of maybe just tomatoes, goat cheese and toasted nuts?

Answer
That sounds wonderful, but if you want to make it special, you could add just a few more things that would really put it over the top.  I make a famous salad that people rave over, and it's very similar to what you are serving. I top my salads with glazed pecans or walnuts, sliced fresh strawberries, dried cranberries, bacon bits and potato sticks--the ones you get it the can in the store.  Add the potato sticks last--just before serving--and I promise your guest will talk about the salad for days. For my greens, I use bagged lettuce but I mix a 1 pound bag of regular garden salad with a bag of spinach leaves.  An unusual dressing with be the crowning touch.
To make the glazed pecans/walnuts, caramelize a bit of sugar and toss the nuts in it, they will clump up, but put the whole pan in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes.  Pour the nuts out on a non-stick cookie sheet and working quickly, pull apart with 2 forks and let cool  Break apart the big pieces if you need to and store in a ziploc bag.
Enjoy!
Teri Davis Newman