Little Gem Salad with Cara Cara Caesar-ish Dressing with Garlic Parmesan Toasts
Jan 12, 2017, Updated Mar 06, 2022
It’s Winter Citrus Season – these low acid, sweet Cara Cara navel oranges entice a Caesar-style dressing with zest! A Wonderful – Simple Salad with crunch and a daily dose of garlic.
Ingredients
- 1 recipe Cara Cara Orange Ceasar-ish Dressing
- 6 heads little gem lettuce, (can substitute Bibb lettuce, 3 cups)
- 1 medium cara cara orange, sliced and quartered, or peeled and sliced halfmoon shape
- 12 thin slices french baguette, see recipe below
- 4 tablespoons parmesan reggiano cheese, grated - for garnish
Instructions
- Make Cara Cara Orange Ceasar-ish Dressing.
- Wash and dry the small heads of little gem lettuce. Cut them in half.
- On four salad plates or bowls, add 3 lettuce halves, (can also place in a salad bowl.) Layer with 3 garlic -parmesan baguette toasts and a portion of cara cara oranges - in each bowl.
- Drizzle a good portion of dressing over all, and scatter some extra grated parmesan on top.
- Garlic -Parmesan Baguette Toasts: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Lay 12 thinly sliced pieces of baguette bread on a rimmed baking sheet. Put 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a small bowl, brush on top sides of the bread. Bake in the hot oven for 5 minutes or until just golden around the edges. Remove from oven. Peel a garlic clove, and rub into the tops of each baguette, discard extra garlic (or save for another recipe.) Scatter 2 T. of grated parmesan over the slices, and top with 1/2 teaspoon of fresh thyme.
- Place back in the oven until the cheese is melted, and the toasts are golden and crisp. Scatter a pinch of sea salt over, if desired.
This recipe may not be reproduced without the consent of its author, Karen Sheer
