Cos Salad with Red Wine Aioli Dressing

A quick, fresh cos salad with avocado, broccoli stem, and parmesan, tossed in a tangy red wine aioli dressing. Perfect alongside lasagne, risotto, or any rich main.
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A fresh, versatile salad that brings balance to any main course. Crisp cos, creamy avocado, and finely sliced broccoli stem are tossed with a tangy red wine aioli dressing that cuts beautifully through rich dishes like lasagne or risotto. Quick to make and full of texture, it’s the kind of salad that props up a meal without stealing the show — and the leftovers make the best lunch the next day.

Introduction

When I made this salad to go with our family dinner last week — a hearty venison lasagne — it turned out to be the perfect supporting act. The crisp cos leaves, creamy avocado, and finely sliced broccoli stem add freshness and crunch, while the sharp red wine aioli dressing cuts through richness in all the right ways. It’s the kind of salad that pulls a whole meal together without stealing the spotlight.

What I love most is how adaptable it is — it’s quick to whip up, works with whatever greens you have, and complements almost anything from pasta to roast meats. The next day, I tossed the leftovers with a tin of tuna and crumbled my seedy crackers over the top for an easy, satisfying lunch.

 

Cos Salad with Red Wine Aioli Dressing

20mins

Cook Mode: OFF

Ingredients

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Servings: 6

Salad

  • 1 cos lettuce, roughly chopped
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • 1 broccoli stem, trimmed and finely sliced
  • .50 red onion, finely sliced
  • .30 parmesan cheese, finely grated

Red Wine Aioli Dressing

  • 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
  • 1 red wine vinegar
  • 2 olive oil
  • 2 good-quality mayonnaise
  • 1 honey
  • splash of cold water, to loosen
  • flaky salt and black pepper, to taste

Directions

Make the dressing:

  1. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the garlic, vinegar, olive oil, mayonnaise, and honey. Season generously with salt and pepper. Adjust consistency with a little water if needed — it should be pourable but creamy.

 

Assemble the salad:

  1. Arrange the cos, avocado, broccoli stem, and red onion on a platter.

 

Dress and serve:

  1. Drizzle the red wine aioli dressing over the top and finish with a generous handful of finely grated parmesan.
  2. Season with salt and pepper and toss lightly just before serving.

Tips

  • The dressing is slightly sharp but beautifully balanced, especially when served alongside rich dishes like lasagne, risotto, or roast meats.
  • Don’t have any broccoli stem? Use cucumber instead — just remove the inner seeds if you don’t want the extra moisture.
  • Any leftover salad is delicious with tinned tuna or shredded chicken for a quick lunch the next day.

Equipment

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Kia ora, and welcome to Māia.

I believe food should be nourishing, joyful, and shared. Māia is about giving you confidence in the kitchen and making the everyday a little more delicious. I’m Colleen, and I’m so glad you’re here

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Tips

  • The dressing is slightly sharp but beautifully balanced, especially when served alongside rich dishes like lasagne, risotto, or roast meats.
  • Don’t have any broccoli stem? Use cucumber instead — just remove the inner seeds if you don’t want the extra moisture.
  • Any leftover salad is delicious with tinned tuna or shredded chicken for a quick lunch the next day.

Equipment