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| So quick & easy: Strawberry Ham Balsamic Salad (other protein options avail) 'A winner; I loved the flavours and textures.' Taster |
Strawberry may seem an odd thing in a savoury salad but the juicy sweet fruit goes well with cold cuts like meat, smoked fish or salty soft cheeses.
Inspired by tv cook Valerie Bertinelli, 67 wanted something very, very easy and super-quick to put together.
It's an 'impulse' salad designed for UK weather. You know, taking advantage of the sunshine & heat which somehow miraculously continues at the end of a working day. Giving in to an impulse, picking up ingredients on the way home, relaxing and basking in warm weather.
It's an indulgence, to be sure, but mouthwatering and delectable.
A frugal version of this recipe which takes more time is also given.
Cost: £3-5, less with frugal option
Feeds: 2-3 but doubles nicely
Ingredients:
1 x 100gm pre-packed mixed leaf salad (67 used baby leaf rocket)
70 -100gms prosciutto OR Spanish serrano & chorizo selection* (2x taster packs) OR Pastrami
2 generous handsful sweet strawberries, sliced thickly
few tablespoons flaked almonds
Vegan option: replace ham with vegan bacon bits, made with bacon-sized strips of bread instead of breadcrumbs
Vegetarian option: replace ham with crumbled feta or goats cheese; replace flaked almonds with lightly toasted walnuts or pecans
Fish option: replace ham with cooked prawns or calamari; replace flaked almonds with shaved dried unsweetened coconut (not the kind for mixing into cake batter but the kind for decorating)
Frugal option: spinach or other salad leaves; 100 gms bacon in strips, fried till crisp; replace almonds with one third recipe crispy croutons
3-4 tbsp good olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
good pinch salt and 1/8 tsp pepper, pref. coarsely ground
1 rounded tsp wholegrain mustard
1/4 tsp sugar, honey or maple syrup (opt)
Pour all ingredients into a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake until thick and blended. Check seasoning
Serve with: crusty French bread
Method:
