Did I mention that my new favorite ingredient is Labneh? The thick kefir based strained tangy yogurt (some say soft cheese) that is mega delicious and packed with bazillions of probiotics? If you’re a Ranch dressing lover but want a healthy easy alternative, you will love this recipe. I serve this Fuyu persimmon & Little Gem salad with avocado in our Oakland restaurant but, it’s pretty with pomegranate too – it’s my top selling salad at present!
By the way, you’ve got about 1 to 2 more weeks of Fuyu’s and then they’re gone…
Fuyu Persimmon, Little Gem Lettuces & Kefir Ranch Dressing
I prefer to add fresh garlic to the dressing as opposed to powdered which is in most Ranch dressing spice packets (along with about 100 miscellaneous ingredients), but I don’t like it to dominate the flavor in something as light as a salad. Powdered garlic always leaves a lingering aftertaste that I can’t seem to get rid of no matter what I do.
A trick I learned when adding garlic raw to recipes: remove the little tiny germ that’s inside of the clove. This part contains most of that garlicky chemical that upsets the stomach. Chop the garlic with a chef’s knife on a cutting board, then pour a teaspoon or two of kosher salt over it. Using a back and forth motion with the blade of the knife, mash the garlic with the salt into a fine purée. The salt helps to draw out the juice and break down the flesh of the garlic clove into a nice pulp that is easily added to sauces or dressings. I also think the salt cures the sharpness of the garlic flavor, but that could just be hearsay.
Fuyu Persimmon & Little Gem Lettuce Salad with Kefire Ranch Dressing
Toss the Little Gem Leaves with the dressing or just pour it over top –it’s up to you. Garnish with pomegrante or avocado or both! A sprinkle of chives and a twist of fresh cracked black pepper overtop is a must “out the gate”.
Some more fun and tasty Fuyu Persimmon Recipes from my website and others:
Kale and Fuyu Persimmon Salad with Blue Cheese Beignets