Butternut Blue Cheese and Walnut Salad Recipe

Butternut, Blue Cheese and Walnut makes a vigorous cold salad for a side dish, light lunch or light dinner. This delicious salad looks so simple but is full of flavor with just a hint of ground black pepper. In addition to that, the balsamic vinaigrette enhances the overall taste of the salad. This dressing is also available in ready-to-use form but forget about the store-bought version and make your own fresh one as it is a matter few minutes.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Serving Size: 3 Persons
Utensils: mixing bowls, oven, serving platter, spoon, fork, knife, and whisk

Ingredients:

- 8 ounces butternut squash, cut into small cubes
- 1/2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 4 ounces spinach or salad greens – washed and chopped
- 1/2 small red onion - thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 ounce blue cheese

Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

- 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
- 1 garlic clove, crushed through a press - optional
- Pinch teaspoon salt

Instructions

1

The very first thing you have to do is, pre-heating your oven at 400 F°.
2

Now, take a bowl and toss together the butternut squash cubes, extra-virgin olive oil, salt and newly ground black pepper. Grab a medium baking sheet and spread the butternut mixture in an even layer on it.
3

Place the baking sheet in the pre-heat oven and bake the butternut mixture for just about 30 minutes or until lightly tender, tossing occasionally.
4

For the meantime, pick a medium bowl and add in the all the dressing ingredients, including balsamic vinegar, mustard, light brown sugar, crushed garlic clove and a pinch of salt. Mix the ingredients until incorporate well and forms a rich Balsamic Vinaigrette. Set the dressing aside until marinate well.
5

Pick a large serving platter and arrange the drained and rinsed spinach or salad greens on it. Top them with thinly sliced red onion, cranberries, and the chopped walnuts.
6

Remove the butternut mixture from oven and place them on the top of the ingredients in the platter. Sprinkle blue cheese all over the top of the warm squash.
7

Now, drizzle in the Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing and toss gently for 2 to 3 seconds in order to coat the ingredients.
8

Serve while the Butternut, Blue Cheese and Walnut Salad is still warm.