Arugula Salad with Cherry Jalapeno Poppers and Cherry Vinaigrette

Recipe summary

Cherry jalapeno poppers masquerading as salad croutons? Absolutely!

Cherry-Jalapeno Poppers recipe makes 12 poppers

Breakdown of times:

Prep Time: 60 minutes

In-Active Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Preparation time: 65 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Pickled Cherries

• 3/4 cup (175 mL) red wine vinegar
• 3/4 cup (175 mL) water
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15 mL) orange zest
• 1 teaspoon (5 mL) black peppercorns
• 1 teaspoon (5 mL) coriander seeds
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 cups (500 mL) whole pitted cherries

Cherry-Jalapeno Popper Filling

• 1/2 cup (125 mL) room temperature goat cheese
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon milk (20 mL)
• 1 tablespoon (15 mL) minced pickled jalapeno
• salt and pepper
• 12 large pitted whole cherries

Cherry-Jalapeno Popper Tempura Batter

• 1/2 cup (125 mL) all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons (20 mL) cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) salt
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) club soda
• vegetable oil for deep frying

Shallot, Bacon and Cherry Vinaigrette

• 4 slices applewood bacon, finely diced
• 2 shallots, finely diced
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) cherry juice
• 2 tablespoons (30 mL) pickling liquid from pickled cherries
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) extra virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper

Salad

• 1 cup (250 mL) goat yogurt seasoned to taste with salt and pepper
• 4 cups (1 L) arugula
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) freshly pitted whole cherries
• 1/2 cup (125 mL) pickled cherries