Mondays are the best!
Especially when Roasted Red Onions with Walnut Salsa & Feta Salad is waiting at the end of it.
I promise, the flavors in this salad will have as much positive power over your Monday evening as the words, “Mondays are the best!” have over your Monday morning.
The components of this dish pack incredible flavor, each in their own right, but together…a symphony of deliciousness. I don’t know about you but I get tired of the same-old same-old salad. And this salad is anything but…
I know I’m always singing the praises of the marriage between a scorching hot oven and (almost) any veggie, well, I am here to sing a little more. Roasted red onions are to this salad what peanut butter is to jelly, garlic is to a meatball, frosting is to cake… The union of 425 degrees and a sliced red onion is wedded bliss, my friends. You can bet I’ll be adding roasted red onions to everything. As a matter of fact, Nick threw a couple in his curry chicken salad for lunch the other day and it was the bomb.
Okay, okay – all this talk of onion and we’ve yet to discuss the walnut salsa. This salsa, the brainchild of Yotam Ottolenghi, is to this salad what a feather is to a cap. It elevates…
Of course it adds the crunch factor that all fabulous salads possess, but rather than throwing any old nut straight from its plastic bag or cardboard canister on top of this bright and peppery arugula and parsley salad, we’ve created a salsa consisting of chopped walnuts, jalapeño, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil and salt.
Who can’t get behind that?
And the final prized feature? (Yes, there’s more….)
Feta.
Feta.
Feta.
Hey – if this bright and vibrant salad has the power to get you through your Monday, imagine what it’ll do to every other day of the week!
Feathers and caps as far as the eye can see!
Buon Appetito!
PrintRoasted Red Onions with Walnut Salsa & Feta Salad
- Category: Salad
Ingredients
- 4 medium red onions
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 – 3 cups arugula
- 3/4 cup fresh parsley
- 3 – 4 oz. crumbled feta
- salt & black pepper, to taste
- Salsa
- 2/3 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
- 1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- 1 plump clove garlic, minced
- 3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1/4 tsp. salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 F.
- Peel the onions and remove the tops and tails.
- Cut each crosswise into 3 slices, and place on a baking sheet.
- Brush the slices with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
- Roast in the oven for about 40 minutes until onions are cooked and golden brown on top.
- Set aside to cool slightly.
- While the onions are cooking, put all the salsa ingredients in a small bowl, stir and set aside.
- To serve, put the arugula and parsley in a large bowl.
- Add all but 4 onion slices, the feta, and half the salsa.
- Toss carefully so the onions don’t fall apart.
- Divide among shallow plates, spoon the remaining salsa over top and add one slice of onion.
- Serve.
{Recipe adapted from Plenty More.}
Ciao!
Kevin | keviniscooking says
Love this writing and post Annie. Roasting veggies is a big one in my kitchen. Simple, healthy and the caramelization that takes place while roasting is fantastic. Elevates the veggies and this one is no exception. Yotam Ottolenghi has quite the knack for taking simple, everyday ingredients and making wonderful combinations. This is great!
Annie says
Thank you so much for your sweet words, Kevin! There has not been a dish of Yotam’s that I haven’t loved… 🙂
Emma {Emma's Little Kitchen} says
I might be a little bit in love with this salad, and we are yet to meet! Roast onions, crisp greens, walnut SALSA! Best of all you sprinkled feta on top- a woman after my own heart!
Annie says
I hear you – it was love at first sight for me! Thanks, Emma!
Joanne says
Okay, I need to get this salad on the menu for dinner tonight! Sounds way too good to pass up.
Annie says
Yes! Make it – you will love it!!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Annie, Roasted red onions!!!! I love this salad!!! and love the presentation!!! Beautiful!
Annie says
Thanks, Alice!! And I promise – it tastes as good as it looks!
Danielle says
I love changing up my salads every so often! This looks so delicious, I love the roasted red onions and feta is always a good choice. Pinned 😉
Annie says
Right? After a while – you just need to try something different. This fits the bill! Thanks, Danielle!
Savita @ ChefDeHome says
Feta is my all-time fav cheese! Love the combo of roasted red onion with feta. *drooling* Great share, Annie! 🙂
Annie says
Oh gosh…I looove feta, too! This is one of my faves! Thanks, Savita!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Annie, this salad is AMAZING! I love red onions..raw, diced, sliced, but especially roasted!! The flavors you jam packed into this salad bring a whole new meaning and life to the simple word “salad”. This salad is what food is about… simple yet complex. Just gimme! I could eat this for days!! ♡ Cheers and pinned!! Xo
Annie says
Simple with complex flavors is my favorite kind of cooking! Thanks, Cheyanne! 🙂
Kathleen | HapaNomNom says
Ooo…. I love roasted red onions! And they go so beautifully with this gorgeous salad! I could seriously have this for lunch everyday! And that salsa is stellar, love the bit of heat in there!
Annie says
That little bit of heat coupled with the sweetness of the onion is a perfect combination! Thanks, Kathleen!
Kait @ Our Foodie Appetite says
Oh wow! Those roasted red onions are such a good idea! I love love love onions on my salads, but my husband thinks they’re too harsh. I think this would be a happy medium for us. Thanks! http://www.ourfoodieappetite.com/east-beach-farmers-market-norfolk-va/
Annie says
I get that! Raw onions can be a little strong – though I love them raw, but roasted completely softens the flavor and sweetens them up. A definite happy medium! Enjoy!!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
This gorgeous salad is definitely brightening up my Monday! Love those beautiful red onions! Oh man do I want this for lunch right now!
Annie says
Ahhh – yes! A perfect lunch! Thanks, Kelly!
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Those roasted onions look so good! What a magnificent salad!
Annie says
Thank you, friend!
Simone | My Blueberry Basket says
What an incredible combination, Annie! These unique yet simple ingredients are not only the perfect combination for my taste buds but their colors also provide such a warm harmony. This is the perfect salad for me! Congratulations!
Annie says
Awhh! Thank you, Simone! I’m so glad you like it!! 🙂
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
This is my kind of summer salad, Annie. Love it. And I agree roasting veggies is the way to go – it gives them so much flavor – but I’ve never tried roasting onions – putting it on the to-do list. Loving the walnut salsa too!
Annie says
Oh, Geraldine – I think you will love these roasted onions! Thanks, friend!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
I really must try these roasted onions because I need a symphony of deliciousness on this Monday! Walnut salsa is definitely an idea I can get behind. And feta….Yesssssss!
Annie says
Yes! Every day should conclude in a symphony of deliciousness! Thanks, Rachelle!
Sues says
How gorgeous are those onions?!?! And I love that I knew this had something to do with Ottolenghi right when I saw it 🙂 Delicious!
Annie says
You’re good, girlfriend! How inspiring is this man?! Thanks, Sues!!
Mira says
I must try these roasted onions! Sounds like a great idea Annie! And the salad looks perfect! Great combination and beautiful pictures!
Annie says
The roasted onions are nothing but sweet! Thanks, Mira!
My Dish is Bomb says
I love cooking things at high heat and getting that beautiful crispy, scorched flavour. And roasting is one of the only ways I’ll eat red onions. Love the fresh arugula there too!
Annie says
There’s nothing better! What roasting does to these onions is pure magic! Thanks, Katy!!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
This salad sure looks like it could make me love Mondays- and that’s saying a lot! Love the roasted red onions 🙂
Annie says
You’ll be singing a happy tune, my friend! I promise! 🙂
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
What a simple yet elegant salad, Annie! Red onions, arugula, walnut and feta sounds so YUM!
Annie says
There is definitely a perfect balance of flavors and textures here! Thanks, friend!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Red onions are my absolute favorite! I could literally add them to just about everything. I never thought to roast them before, so this is such a great idea! Sounds like it goes perfectly with this salad, Annie!
Annie says
I am a huge fan of warm elements in a salad and the sweetness of the onions are perfect! Thanks, Gayle!