Today is my copycat of Rumbi’s house salad.  I love their salad – nice crisp greens, sweet mandarin oranges, sugary and crunchy caramelized walnuts, salty feta cheese, and sweet yet tangy creamy balsamic vinaigrette.  It’s heavenly!
The salad itself is easy to figure out, but the dressing is a little trickier. Â My version of the dressing is close, but I know the flavor can vary based on the brand of balsamic vinegar you use. Â Some are more sweet and some are more tangy. Â Mine was more tangy, it is a cheap brand. Â Flavor is better with higher priced brands. Â The walnuts are also close to the flavor of Rumbi’s but not exact. Â You can also just buy candied walnuts at the store if you prefer. So there you have it, my copycat of Rumbi’s house salad.
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Copycat of Rumbi’s House Salad
Ingredients
- 1 (5 oz) pkg of mixed greens (I used sweet baby lettuces)
- 1 (6 oz) container of feta cheese
- 1 carrot, peeled and shredded
- 2 cans mandarin oranges drained
- 1 recipe of candied walnuts (recipe below)
- 1 recipe of creamy balsamic vinaigrette (recipe below)
Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette
- 4 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 heaping Tbsp honey Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp light mayonnaise
- 2 dashes of salt
- a little black pepper
- 2 tsp sugar, if needed
Candied Walnuts
Instructions
- For the salad – Assemble salad. serves 4-6
- For the dressing – Combine above ingredients except sugar in a shaker jar and shake to combine or place in a bowl and whisk until smooth and mayo is completely blended. Â Taste dressing and if too tangy then add sugar and blend in.
- For the candied walnuts – Place sugar in a thick bottomed sauce pan. Â Cook over medioum heat stirring until sugar turns to a liquid. Â Keep cooking until it turns a light amber color. Â Quickly mix in the walnuts and stir to coat.
- Spread walnuts on a baking sheet lined with a silpat or parchment paper.  Use 2 forks and separate the walnuts.  Sprinkle with salt and let cook completely.
15 comments
COOL completely not cook
Hi I was wondering what you do with the walnuts after you spread them out on the sheet. As you are not explaining the next step clearly do you bake them in the oven at what temp? and time please.
Hi I was wondering what you do with the walnuts after you spread them out on the sheet. As you are not explaining the next step clearly do you bake them in the oven at what temp? and time please.
Hi I was wondering what you do with the walnuts after you spread them out on the sheet. As you did not explain the next step if you bake them at what temperature and time please.
Hi I was wondering what you do with the walnuts after you spread them out on the sheet. As you did not explain the next step if you bake them at what temperature and time please.
Hi I was wondering what you do with walnuts after you spread them out on the baking sheet. The next step is missing as you did not mention if you bake it in the oven and what type of temperature and time please
Hi I was wondering what you do with walnuts after you spread them out on the baking sheet. The next step is missing as you did not mention if you bake it in the oven and what type of temperature and time please
The only thing I have a problem with is that I have no way of printing the recipe. If I print from my print button the wording is so small I can hardly read it. Maybe a print button would be great. Thanks so much.
The only thing I have a problem with is that I have no way of printing the recipe. If I print from my print button the wording is so small I can hardly read it. Maybe a print button would be great. Thanks so much.
I have been craving a good salad lately and this definitely looks like it would fit the bill!
I have been craving a good salad lately and this definitely looks like it would fit the bill!
This looks so delicious! Great, vibrant flavors!
This looks so delicious! Great, vibrant flavors!
This looks so great! Thanks for the recipe idea. I bet this would also be good with grilled chicken. Yum!
This looks so great! Thanks for the recipe idea. I bet this would also be good with grilled chicken. Yum!