Wild Field Greens and Vine Ripened Tomatoes with Warm Hazelnut Forest Dressing

Ingredients

Dressing:

• 1-ounce dried shiitake mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon hazelnut oil
• 1 tablespoon walnut oil
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 shallot clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Ingredients for salad:

• 3 large beefsteak tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
• 2 cups mixed fresh greens such as frisee and red leaf lettuce, soaked in salt water to remove grit, dried in a salad spinner and torn into small pieces
• 2 romaine hearts, leaves separated

Directions

Break or chop mushrooms into 1/4-inch pieces and cover with 1/4 cup warm water. Let sit for 30 minutes to rehydrate. Strain mushrooms, reserving soaking liquid in a small bowl. Rinse mushrooms and set aside. Strain soaking liquid through a paper towel into a small pot and reduce by half over medium heat.

Combine hazelnut oil, walnut oil and olive oil in a small bowl. Combine vinegar, shallot, chives and salt and pepper in a separate medium mixing bowl and whisk in warm soaking liquid. Continue whisking and add oil in a slow thin stream to emulsify.

Lay out slices of tomato. Top with salad greens and mushrooms. Drizzle with warm dressing and top with 2 small romaine leaves.