Butter Lettuce Salad with Avocado Ranch Dressing

Name: Butter Lettuce Salad with Avocado Ranch Dressing
Yield: serves 6
Ingredients: 1 large avocado, peeled and pitted; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1/2 cup buttermilk; 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions (green parts only); 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, or more to taste; 1 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon; Kosher salt and cayenne pepper, to taste; 2 large or 3 small heads butter lettuce; 1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh chives; 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley; 2 large hard-boiled eggs, coarsely chopped; Half-pint cherry tomatoes, halved

December 22, 2011

Chef Alan Greeley, who attended the 1997 Workshop, introduced us to this luscious salad dressing. Inspired by the creamy “ranch dressing” that originated on a dude ranch in Santa Barbara, Alan’s version incorporates avocado for an even silkier texture. He pairs the dressing with steamed artichokes and asparagus; we love it on tender leaves of butter lettuce with a shower of fresh spring herbs from our garden.

Recipe information

Yield
serves 6

Ingredients

Avocado Ranch Dressing

1 large avocado, peeled and pitted

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions (green parts only)

3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, or more to taste

1 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon

Kosher salt and cayenne pepper, to taste

2 large or 3 small heads butter lettuce

1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh chives

1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley

2 large hard-boiled eggs, coarsely chopped

Half-pint cherry tomatoes, halved

Preparation

Step 1
For the dressing: In a food processor, combine all the ingredients and puree until smooth and creamy.
Step 2
Core the lettuce heads and separate them into individual leaves. In a large bowl, toss the lettuce leaves with enough of the dressing to coat them lightly; you may not need it all. Arrange the lettuce on a platter. Sprinkle with chives and parsley, then with chopped egg. Scatter the cherry tomatoes around the lettuce. Serve immediately.
Step 3
Enjoy with Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Chardonnay or another elegant, cool-climate Chardonnay.

The Cakebread Cellars American Harvest Cookbook

TagsSalad Buttermilk Dairy Lettuce Leafy Greens Vegetable Avocado Side Starter Lunch Dinner Nut Free Gluten Free Keto Quick 30 Minutes or Less No-Cook Food Processor Cookbooks

Recipe information

Ingredients

Avocado Ranch Dressing

Preparation

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Recipe notes