Simple Salad with a Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette & Satsuma Tangerines

Recipe by: Chef Julie Darling of Just Call Us Catering
Chopped Romaine Lettuce
Chopped mixed greens
Candied almonds
Satsuma Tangerines peeled and membranes removed
Gorgonzola, Bleu or Feta cheese
Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette
For almonds:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups slivered almonds, toasted

Place foil on work surface. Stir sugar and 1/4 cup water in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until sugar dissolves, brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush. Increase heat and boil without stirring until mixture turns deep amber color, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling pan, about 9 minutes. Mix in almonds. Immediately pour out onto foil, separating almonds with fork. Cool completely (mixture will harden).
Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette
For lemon oil

• 2 cups canola oil
• 2 large (2- by 1/2-inch) strips Meyer lemon peel (from 1/2 medium lemon)
• 10 sprigs lemon thyme, left whole
• 1 stalk lemongrass, tough outer layers removed and bottom 4 inches roughly chopped

For vinaigrette

• ¼ cup freshly squeezed meyer lemon juice (from 1 1/2 medium meyer lemons)
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ cup lemon Oil
• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Make lemon oil
In medium heavy saucepan over very low heat, combine oil, lemon peel, lemon thyme, and lemongrass. Cook, uncovered, until aromatic, about 1 hour. Do not let oil boil. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Strain through fine-mesh sieve into medium heatproof container and refrigerate until cool, about 1 hour. (Oil can be refrigerated, in airtight container, up to 5 days).
Make vinaigrette
In medium bowl, whisk together lemon juice, mustard, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in 1/4 cup lemon oil, then olive oil. (Vinaigrette can be made up to 3 hours ahead and chilled, covered. Bring to room temperature and stir before serving.)
Add all your greens, almonds, cheese & satsumas together in a bowl, add dressing & enjoy!
Read Featured Chef Julie Darling’s interview here.