Shake Up Your Balsamic Game

Find yourself looking for new ways to use your go-to balsamic vinaigrette, but struggling to find exciting recipe inspo? Local greens grower Little Leaf Farms has teamed up with the dressing experts at Ken’s to introduce you to a variety of delicious salads you can create with Ken’s Simply Vinaigrette Balsamic.

The bold, clean balsamic taste elevates the simplest of salads and the dressing is so versatile, it can even be used as a quick and easy marinade like in this Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with Balsamic Grilled Chicken, for example. The fruit-forward dressing accentuates the strawberry notes in the salad, and when used as a marinade, it infuses the chicken with vibrant flavors…get the recipe here.

If you’re looking for quick and easy ways to get more use out of your balsamic dressing (no marinating required), here are a couple more options from the Little Leaf Farms folks that fit the bill…

RECIPE: Sweet Baby Butter Leaf Salad with Corn and Crispy Shallots

This simple yet flavorful Sweet Baby Butter Leaf Salad with Corn and Crispy Shallots comes together in just a few minutes and leverages the sweetness of Ken’s Simply Vinaigrette Balsamic to accentuate the corn and contrast the salty, crispy shallots.

Ingredients (serves 2)

4 oz Little Leaf Sweet Baby Butter Leaf
1 c fresh corn kernels
1 red bell pepper, roughly chopped
½ c crispy shallots (store bought, or use this recipe)
Ken’s Simply Balsamic Vinaigrette

Directions

Fill a large bowl with Little Leaf Sweet Baby Butter Leaf greens.
Top with corn, peppers, and crispy shallots
Add a generous drizzle of Ken’s Simply Vinaigrette Balsamic and enjoy.

RECIPE: Crispy Green Leaf Salad with Apples, Fennel and Walnuts

If crispy, crunchy goodness is your thing, you’ll find plenty to munch on when you pair Little Leaf Farms Crispy Green Leaf lettuce with apples, fennel and walnuts. In this salad, the rich fruitiness of Ken’s Simply Vinaigrette Balsamic accentuates the apples and balances the licorice-like fennel flavor.

Ingredients (serves 2)

4 oz Little Leaf Crispy Green Leaf
1 large honey crisp apple, halved, cored, and thinly sliced
1 small fennel bulb, shaved on a mandolin or thinly sliced
½ c toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
Ken’s Simply Vinaigrette Balsamic

Directions

Fill a shallow serving platter with the lettuce.
Cover the greens with the sliced apple and fennel.
Finish with a sprinkle of toasted walnuts and serve with Ken’s Simply Vinaigrette Balsamic.

RECIPE: Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with Balsamic Grilled Chicken

Looking for an easy way to elevate your salads? Gussy up your greens and your proteins with a superior salad dressing. This Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad uses Ken’s Simply Vinaigrette Balsamic as a quick and easy chicken marinade as well as a tasty drizzle on top of crispy Little Leaf Farms greens. The dressing’s bold and fruit-forward balsamic flavor accentuates the notes of strawberry and ties the whole dish together.

INGREDIENTS (serves 2)

for the salad

4 oz Little Leaf Baby Red & Green Leaf
1 c strawberries, halved and stems removed
¼ c red onion, sliced into half moons
3 tbsp mint leaves, torn
¼ c basil leaves, torn
¼ c goat cheese, crumbled
Ken’s Simply Balsamic Vinaigrette

for the balsamic grilled chicken

2, 8 oz chicken breasts
3/4 c Ken’s Simply Vinaigrette Balsamic

DIRECTIONS

for the chicken

In a large resealable bag, add the chicken breasts and the balsamic vinaigrette.
Seal and place in the refrigerator to marinate for at least an hour or as long as 24.
When you are ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium-high heat or preheat your oven to 425°F.
Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade…
- If grilling, place on the grill and cook on each side for 5-6 minutes.
- If baking, place on a parchment-lined baking dish and cook for 18-20 minutes.
The chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165° F. Once cooked, let cool.
Thinly slice, and set aside until you are ready to assemble the salad.

for the salad