Salad of Mesclun Greens with Dried Cranberries, Mascarpone Dumplings and Champagne Vinaigrette

Directions

For the dumplings and salad:

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup goat cheese
• 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped chives
• 4 cups cleaned loosely packed greens (such as romaine, red and green leaf lettuce, radicchio, frissee)
• 1/2 cup sun-dried cranberries
• 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in 1/2

For the Champagne vinaigrette:

• 1/4 cup Champagne vinegar
• 1/2 cup Champagne
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons chopped chives
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup grapeseed oil

For the dumplings and salad:

Mix goat cheese, mascarpone and chives in a bowl. Roll into small "dumplings" and set aside at room temperature.

For the Champagne Vinaigrette:

Make vinaigrette by mixing together vinegar, Champagne, vanilla, chives, salt, and pepper, in a small bowl. Add oil in a slow stream by whisking constantly.

Cut or shred greens into 1/2-inch wide pieces. Combine cheese dumplings, greens, cranberries, and tomatoes and toss with enough vinaigrette to coat.