CAPE GOOSEBERRY SALAD WITH GINGER-LIME DRESSING

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

Lightly sweet Cape gooseberries are balanced by a bold dressing and creamy, tangy goat cheese in this light summertime salad. The simple vinaigrette, made with lime juice, fresh ginger, Dijon mustard, and cayenne pepper, added exciting bright freshness without overpowering the mild flavor of the gooseberries. Simply whisking the dressing together in the salad bowl before tossing in the remaining ingredients made the salad easy to prepare. Bibb lettuce added bulk and a delicate buttery bite to accompany the gooseberries. Mint offered a refreshing twist to the vinaigrette and complemented the lime juice and ginger. The addition of goat cheese made for a nice creamy counterpoint to the zesty dressing and sweet gooseberries, and a final sprinkle of pistachios added a crunchy bite. Adjust the amount of lime juice depending on the sweetness level of your Cape gooseberries.

SERVES: 4

TOTAL TIME: 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 head Bibb lettuce (8 ounces), leaves separated and torn into 2-inch pieces
• 8 ounces Cape gooseberries, husks and stems removed, rinsed well and dried, halved
• ¼ cup chopped fresh mint
• 1½ ounces goat cheese, crumbled (⅓ cup)
• 2 tablespoons chopped toasted pistachios
• 2–3 teaspoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Pinch cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together lime juice, ginger, mustard, cayenne, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
2. While whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in olive oil until well combined.
3. Add Bibb lettuce, Cape gooseberries, and mint to the bowl and gently toss to coat.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Transfer the salad to a serving platter.
6. Sprinkle the crumbled goat cheese and chopped pistachios over the salad.
7. Serve and enjoy