What salad goes with stew, polenta and mustard greens?

[lefrench]

I'm planning to serve this amazing hearty elk stew recipe which goes great over polenta with sauteed mustard greens on the side. What else should I serve with it? What kind of salad wouldn't feel redundant with the mustard greens? I need to fill out this menu a bit.

[chef chicklet]

You have many fine suggestions, I agree something with citrus either in the dressing or with segments of the fruit, would be perfect and pretty.

[Father Kitchen]

Lot's to drool over. I'm fond of blood oranges and thinly sliced finocchio (fennel). But I should add that I think a simple salad of tossed greens, including arugula and radicchio, dressed in the classic Italian manner at the table with a generous amount of oil, a judicious bit of salt, and a stingy splash of a really good vinegar might be all your elegantly simple meal needs. And be sure to add a good bread.

[Mellicita]

Here is a delicious winter fruit salad recipe:
http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/11/win...

[Uncle Bob]

A Cranberry Salad...Load it up with Walnuts!

Fun!

[bushwickgirl]

Yes, I 'm thinking some type of fall/winter fruits, apples, pears, persimmons, red grapes, even poached dried figs or apricots, dried cranberries or pomegranite arils, which seem to be very popular in salads these days; maybe a nut of some type, walnuts or pecans, on a bed of romaine and endive. You don't really need to repeat the greens; just use a bed of greens for plating the salad. A heartier fruit salad, with a bit of bitter from the endive, tang from the mustard in the vinaigrette and some crunch from the nuts, will give you a nice contrast to the rich elk and polenta. The dressing could be a vinaigrette with a slightly sweet edge and a hint of Dijon mustard, maybe use a cranberry or pomegranite vinegar or champagne vinegar with a touch of honey and orange.

[lefrench]

Yum, now I'm getting inspired. Like the cranberry salad idea too.

[goodhealthgourmet]

what are the other ingredients (seasonings, liquid, vegetables, etc) in the stew?

[lefrench]

onion, garlic, chipotle chiles in adobo,maple syrup,lime juice,elk, salt & pepper, brewed coffee, homemade beef stock

[goodhealthgourmet]

well now you've gotten a bunch of great ideas!

the astringency of the blood orange, cranberry or pomegranate that have been suggested would all be perfect for cutting the richness of the stew. i like the idea of a vinaigrette with pomegranate molasses, mustard and champagne vinegar...perhaps blood orange segments and dried cranberries or dried apricots (or both!) in the salad. toasted pistachios would add a hint of sweetness to balance the tartness.

whatever you decide, the meal sounds wonderful!

[dct]

How about a citrus salad?

[lefrench]

onion, garlic, chipotle chiles in adobo,maple syrup,lime juice,elk, salt & pepper, brewed coffee, homemade beef stock

[lefrench]

great idea thanks!

[Phurstluv]

I like a blood orange salad with radicchio, butter lettuce, hazelnuts & shaved parmigianno.

[lynnlato]

Very nice. And it would present beautifully.