Pati's Arugula Avocado Salad with Date and Walnut Vinaigrette

By lorik

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 6 unpeeled garlic cloves
• 2 to 3 chiles de arbol stemmed
• 1 copious spoonful fresh oregano leaves or from 2 to 3 sprigs of oregano
• 1/3 cup sherry vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
• 4 to 6 medjool dates pitted and finely chopped
• 2/3 cup walnuts
• 5 to 6 ounces baby arugula
• 1 to 2 ripe avocados halved, pitted, diced
• 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco

Details

Servings 4
Cooking time 30mins
Adapted from

Preparation

Step 1

Heat the olive oil and vegetable oil in a small saucepan set over low heat, add the unpeeled garlic cloves and chiles de arbol and let them cook for 8 to 10 minutes. The oils should be gently bubbling. Remove from heat and add in the fresh oregano leaves. Set aside to cool slightly.
With a slotted spoon, remove the garlic cloves from the oil and, when cool enough to handle, peel off their skin. Place them into the jar of a blender along with the oils, chiles de arbol, oregano leaves, vinegar, mustard and salt. Puree until completely smooth. Scrape into a bowl and set the vinaigrette aside.

Place a saute pan over medium-low heat. Once hot, add the walnuts and toast for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring as they begin to lightly brown. Remove from the heat, let cool and chop.
Incorporate the chopped walnuts and dates into the vinaigrette, toss and let sit. You can make the vinaigrette 12 hours ahead of time. Stir before using.

In a salad bowl, toss the arugula with the vinaigrette. Top with avocado chunks and queso fresco. Serve.