Cold Christmas buffet
Roasted Fig, Walnut & Goat’s Cheese Salad
Recipe / Lee Holmes
I believe deep down that goat’s cheese and beetroot were made for one another. Their romance is proof that opposites attract and that two entirely different souls can be a match made in heaven. Here, the bright pink, sweet, earthy flavours of beetroot mingle with the rich, creamy tartness of goat’s cheese. I highly recommend investing in a quality goat’s cheese. It’ll be a little extra on your food bill, but it’s a decadent treat like no other, and there’s no better time to celebrate food than at Christmas.
Serves: 4
3 small beetroot, peeled & thickly sliced
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
6 ripe figs, halved crossways
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
Apple-cider vinegar, for drizzling
100g walnuts
200g spinach, plus extra to serve (optional)
100g goat’s cheese
Juice ½ lemon
2 thyme sprigs
Freshly ground black pepper
Micro herbs, to serve (optional)
1 orange, sliced & roasted, to serve (optional)
Preheat oven to 220°C.
Toss beetroot in roasting tray with drizzle of olive oil. Roast for 25 mins, or until just softened. Remove tray, lay fig halves, cut-side up, around beetroot, then sprinkle with cinnamon and drizzle over some more olive oil and apple-cider vinegar. Roast for 5 mins, then add walnuts and cook for a further 5 mins, or until figs are golden, plump and slightly softened. Allow to cool to room temperature.
Put spinach on platter or in salad bowl, add figs and walnuts and crumble over goat’s cheese.
Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.
Top with thyme, a grind or two of black pepper and some micro herbs.
Garnish with some extra spinach and roasted orange slices, if using.
Enjoy immediately.
“Cheesy” Tomato & Basil Braids
Recipe / Lee Holmes
Enjoy this gluten-free twist on the classic twist! Gluten-free puff pastry has come a long way and now you can buy it at most major supermarkets. The kids will enjoy these braids and they are the
