All Recipes,

Star Salad with Sesame Balsamic Vinaigrette and Belgian Chocolate Curls

Chefs Marion Robinson and Peter Long
The Star Conservatory Restaurant

The Star Conservatory Restaurant’s pretty-as-a-picture salad is made even more whimsical with chocolate curls that add a sweet finish.

Ingredients
Sesame Balsamic Vinaigrette
3/4 cup olive and canola oil
1 Tbsp sesame oil
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp black sesame seeds
1/4 tsp white sesame seeds, toasted
1/4 tsp minced garlic
salt and pepper to taste

Star Salad
4 cucumber slices, cut lengthwise or mandolined
one bag (142 g) spring mix greens
1/4 cup grated carrots
1/3 cup diced roasted red pepper
1/2 red onion, sliced into rings
1/4 cup sliced strawberries
Belgian chocolate curls
1 small bar Belgian chocolate, milk or dark

Method
Vinaigrette

  1. Shake all ingredients together. Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. Shake well before each use.

Chocolate Curls

  1. Make sure chocolate bar is at room temperature.
  2. Slowly draw a vegetable peeler lengthwise down the side of chocolate.
  3. Refrigerate curls for 10 mins to set.

Assembly

  1. Curl cucumber into a ring on plate and pinch at end.
  2. Fill centre with a handful of mixed greens.
  3. Carefully place carrots, roasted red pepper, red onion and strawberry on top.
  4. Drizzle with dressing.
  5. Garnish with chocolate.

Yield 4 servings