Pluot and Apricot Salad

This was definitely and experiment and the flavor profile is off but still delicious enough for me to regret how much time it took to find my camera to take a picture of it. The next time I make this recipe, I am definitely making it ahead of time and cooling it before adding the lettuce. Also, I would definitely omit the celery and caramelize the carrots and slivered almonds in more sugar. Either that or used sugared almond slivers and caramelize the carrots alone.

I know that the cilantro and curly parsley seems like a bit much, but it adds a freshness that makes the dish light and summery (even in my 85 degree apartment) and balances the sweetness of the fruits, vanilla and sugar.

This could also be adapted to a desert omitting the carrots, celery, lettuce and switching the parsley and cilantro for mint. Also, probably changing up the vinnaigrette a bit, maybe with champagne vinegar. Serve with fresh whipped cream or other delicious baking cream.

So, here's what I did for 1 serving:

Make Lemon/Balsamic/Cinnamon Vinnaigrette
1 part lemon
1 part (or a little less) balsamic vinegar
1/2 part olive oil
cinnamon to taste

Cut in half, de-seed and slice
1 pluot
1 apricot (fully ripe)

Mince
1 tsp - fresh curly parsley (not flat parsley)
1/2 tsp - fresh cilantro

Slice in thin strips
1/2 C lettuce

Caramelize (by sautee) the following in scant butter:
2 T - Slivered apricots
1 T - Carrots, brunois (x-small dice)
1 T - Celery, brunois
2 tsp - sugar
When caramelized, add 1/2 tsp vanilla

Take off heat and add apricot, pluot parlsey and cilantro flipping in pan to distribute flavors. Add about 1 T of the vinnaigrette. Don't let the fruit cook all the way. If serving warm, add the lettuce and serve immediately. If serving cold, I would hold off on the herbs, vinnaigrette and lettuce until about ten minutes before serving time and mix them with the cooled fruit salad.

Serve on a leaf of lettuce.

Anyways, this dish was delicious and odd. Something that with a few tweaks I would be delighted to eat in a restaurant.