Spicy Green Salad With Pears And Manchego Recipes

SPICY GREEN SALAD WITH PEARS AND MANCHEGO

Steps:

• Cook pumpkin seeds in 1 tablespoon oil in a small heavy skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until puffed and beginning to brown, about 4 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels and reserve oil. Season seeds with salt and pepper.
• Whisk together vinegar, honey, mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Add remaining 1/3 cup olive oil and reserved oil from skillet in a slow stream, whisking until emulsified.
• Divide greens and cheese among salad plates. Cut off 2 opposite sides of each pear (reserve for another use), and slice lengthwise. Arrange a pear slice on each plate and drizzle dressing over salads. Sprinkle with seeds.

PEAR & MANCHEGO SALAD

Steps:

• Heat the honey and rosemary in a small pan with 1 tbsp boiling water. Bring to a simmer and let it bubble for around 30 secs. Remove from the heat and allow to infuse.
• Heat a frying pan and drizzle in a little oil. Add the hazelnuts and toast until golden and starting to char a little here and there. Remove from the pan, allow to cool, then chop roughly to make a rustic crumb. Mix with the lemon zest and some seasoning.
• To make a dressing, combine the olive oil and balsamic vinegar with some seasoning. Toss the salad leaves in most of the dressing, then arrange on serving plates or a platter, layering the leaves with the pear slices. Top with shavings of manchego and the hazelnut crumb, then drizzle over some of the rosemary honey and the remaining dressing. Serve with prosciutto twists (see tip, below) for the meat-eaters.