Skip to content
UltraTruffle
Menu
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Breakfast
    • Condiments
    • Desserts
    • Dinner
    • Pasta
    • Salad
    • Side Dish
    • Soup
  • Tools & Ingredients
  • Contact Me
Menu

Fig Salad with Creamy Toasted Pecan Dressing

Posted on July 19, 2022July 19, 2022 by Jen

A Unique Fresh Fruit Delivery…

A Bit of History:

In previous posts, I covered some of the interesting historical facts about figs. Therefore, today I will focus on the history of pecans for my Creamy Toasted Pecan Dressing. However, I could not resist sharing one fun fig fact. Female rhinoceros hornbill birds enjoy a very unique fresh fig delivery system. During mating season, female birds build a nest inside a tree trunk leaving just enough space for the males to slip fresh figs into the nest. I doubt modern food and restaurant delivery services can top that service.

Interestingly, pecans hold the claim for the only nut tree native to North America. In addition, their name traces its roots from the Algonquin word that refers to pecans, walnuts, or hickory nuts. However, Europeans did not consume pecans until Spanish explorers brought them home in the 16th century. According to the U.S. Pecans Grower Council, there are greater than 1000 varieties of pecans today!

About the Recipe: Creamy Toasted Pecan Dressing

I typically celebrate the first figs of the season by popping them into my mouth with a drizzle of honey and sea salt. After consuming several, I finally focus on recipe ideas. Summer salads accompanied by a creamy, 5-minute dressing hit the spot on a hot day. Simply, combine pecans with honey, miso, cashew yogurt, in a blender with the remaining ingredients. Miso paste, honey, and red pepper flakes yield a unique and delectable umami. Adding cashew yogurt elevates the creamy texture. Next, toss arugula and mixed greens with dressing and top with freshly sliced figs, pickled red onions, a pinch of sea salt, and non-dairy feta cheese if desired.

Serve the salad immediately and store any leftover dressing in the refrigerator.

Fig salad with toasted pecan dressing

Fig salad with toasted pecan dressing

Fig Salad with Creamy Toasted Pecan Dressing

A delightful combination of sweet, fresh figs with an umami packed creamy pecan dressing.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Equipment

  • 1 Blender

Ingredients
  

Toasted Pecan Salad Dressing

  • 1/2 cup pre-toasted or raw pecans
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 1 lemon juiced
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cashew yogurt (such as Kite Hill)
  • 1 tbsp miso paste
  • 1/4-3/4 tsp hot red pepper flakes (start with the lower end of the range and add more pepper to taste)
  • 1 tbsp honey (either hot pepper infused or traditional)

Salad Ingredients (serves 8)

  • 16 cups mixed greens
  • 8 cups arugula
  • 1/3 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup pickled or raw red onion
  • 24 fresh figs, sliced into quarters
  • 1/2 cup vegan feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

Instructions
 

  • If toasting pecans:
    Stovetop: place in a dry skillet over medium-high heat for approximately 5 minutes. Stir often to prevent burning.
    Oven: roast at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

Toasted Pecan Salad Dressing

  • Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Taste and add more pepper if desired or additional honey.

Salad Assembly

  • Toss arugula, mixed greens, sliced figs, and red onion with desired amount of salad dressing.
  • Add salt to taste and toss again.
  • Garnish salad with chopped pecans and feta cheese if desired. Serve immediately. Store remaining salad dressing in the refrigerator.
Keyword arugula fig salad with creamy pecan salad dressing, fig pecan salad, fig salad, fig salad with creamy pecan dressing, oil free creamy pecan salad dressing, ultratruffle creamy toasted pecan salad dressing, ultratruffle fig salad

Looking for some other great fig recipes? Try these Ultratruffle favorites:

Smoked Fig Jam Bruschetta

Spicy Fig & Rosemary Reduction over Fregola Pasta

Fig, Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Biscotti

Flatbread Pizza with Rosemary Thyme Fig Jam

Strawberry Mint Basil Cucumber Salad

WANT MORE?

Grab 5 Fan Favorite Recipes in our Free Download when you sign up to receive the latest Ultratruffle recipes and news!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Slow Food, Less Effort, 1 Ingredient at a Time

Are you striving to make a lifestyle change or looking to discover plant-focused recipes the whole family will love?

My name is Jen. I am a wife, mom, and a pharmacist. I love to cook for my family, hike, run, and read about history. I enjoy eating fresh, seasonal, locally available produce. In addition to endurance trail runs and long bike rides, I will happily set out on foraging hikes for mushrooms and truffles.

Waiting for the seasons to change, fruits to ripen, vegetables to mature, or truffles to reach their peak (7-11 years) is an endurance sport in itself.  Nonetheless, the time and effort spent is well worth crossing that finish line and enjoying a delicious, healthy meal.

I always say the slower you run, the more you enjoy the trail. Food is the same. Cooking together in the kitchen with freshly harvested fruits and vegetables is all about taking life slower and enjoying the process and experience. Plant-based, healthy food for the whole family with less effort, so you can slow down and enjoy life!

Disclaimer: This website is for sharing recipes and cooking techniques that I use in my kitchen. It is not intended as medical advice. Ingredient information is for general knowledge only. Please consult your physician for medical questions and concerns regarding your personal health.

All rights reserved. Copyright pending. Recipes/photographs may not be copied and/or re-posted as an original work without express written consent by website owner.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Recent Posts

  • Parsley Horseradish Yogurt Sauce
  • Double Chocolate Goji Berry Cookies
  • Vegan Morel Mushroom Risotto
  • Salt-Crusted Baby Potatoes &…
  • Fig Salad with Creamy Toasted Pecan Dressing

Archives

  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
© 2023 UltraTruffle | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme