Arugula and roasted fruit salad with panettone croutons
Ingredients:
- 3 cups 1-inch cubes panettone (about 6 ounces)
- 1 cup fresh cranberries (thawed if frozen)
- 1 cup red seedless grapes
- 2 Barlett pears, cut into 8ths and cored
- Two plums, cut into 8ths and pitted
- Two tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, plus 1/4 cup (about 2 lemons total), plus 1/2 lemon, zested
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 cup orange blossom honey
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 6 ounces arugula greens
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Place the panettone cubes on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake until dark golden brown and crispy on the outside, about 45 to 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside. The croutons will continue to crisp up ad they cool. Increase the oven temperature to 425 degrees F. Place the fruit in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with melted butter, two tablespoons lemon juice, and the sugar. Toss to coat and spread the fruit out in a single layer onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake until the pears are tender, and the fruit is beginning to brown on the edges, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside. Meanwhile, place the honey, the remaining 1/4 cup lemon juice, canola oil, cream, lemon zest, one teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a blender. Run the machine until the ingredients are well blended. Set aside. To assemble the salad place the arugula greens, roasted fruit panettone croutons in a large bowl. Add the salad dressing and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Toss to coat and serve immediately.
