How to Create the Perfect Festive Green Salad with Chef Óscar Salazar
Chef Óscar Salazar of The View Restaurant at 7Pines Resort Ibiza reveals his best-kept secret for an unforgettable festive dish.
Perched above the azure waters of Ibiza, The View Restaurant at 7Pines Resort offers a dining experience as stunning as its iconic Es Vedrà backdrop. Recently awarded 1 Sol in the 2023 Repsol Guide and proudly featured in the Michelin Guide, The View is a haven for refined Mediterranean dining.
At the helm is Executive Chef Óscar Salazar, renowned for his ability to craft elegant dishes that celebrate seasonal ingredients with a touch of French flair. If you’re looking to impress your guests this Christmas with a salad that’s perfectly crafted and full of vibrant flavours, this is the recipe for you.
Ingredients
For the salad:
• 2 hearts of Romaine lettuce
• A handful of fresh spinach leaves
• Pomegranate seeds
• Crushed walnuts
• Thin slices of avocado
For the dressing:
• 500ml red tomato water
• 12ml dry sherry wine
• A dash of Worcestershire sauce
• A dash of Tabasco
• Lemon juice (to taste)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• A pinch of xanthan gum (optional for thickening)
For garnish:
• Tomato jelly cubes
• Tomato sponge (optional, for a creative touch)
Instructions
1. Prepare the lettuce purée: Blend the hearts of Romaine lettuce and spinach leaves with a touch of lemon juice until smooth. Strain for a silky texture.
2. Make the dressing: Mix the tomato water with sherry wine, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, and a splash of lemon juice. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper. Add a small pinch of xanthan gum if a thicker consistency is desired.
3. Prepare the garnishes: Cube the tomato jelly and, if desired, prepare a tomato sponge for an elevated presentation.
4. Assemble the salad: Spread the lettuce purée on a serving plate. Arrange slices of avocado, pomegranate seeds, and crushed walnuts artistically on top. Add the tomato jelly cubes and sponge for colour and texture.
5. Finish and serve: Drizzle the dressing generously over the salad and serve immediately.
Chef Salazar’s Festive Green Salad is a stunning addition to your Christmas menu, combining Mediterranean flavours with a contemporary flair. Whether served as a starter or a centrepiece, it’s the perfect way to elevate your holiday table and impress your guests.