Rocket And Parma Ham Salad Food

CHRISTMAS DELI SALAD WITH POMEGRANATE, PARMA HAM AND GORGONZOLA

Steps:

• Wash and trim the radicchio and Savoy cabbage leaves, and remove the chunkier stems and centre stem of the Savoy cabbage. Then cut or tear the leaves into even sized strips. Heat the olive oil in a large wok or frying pan. Wilt the leaves in the olive oil - just for a few minutes so the leaves are still crunchy but warm.
• Lay the wilted leaves out on a large platter or individual plates and top with the gorgonzola cheese cubes, Parma ham slices (which have been shredded) and the olives.
• Scatter the rocket (arugula) leaves over the top and then scatter the pomegranate seeds over before adding the dressing. Serve immediately.

MOZZARELLA, MANGO & SERRANO HAM SALAD

Steps:

• To make the dressing, whisk the olive oil, sweet chilli sauce, chopped basil leaves and 1 tbsp of the lemon or lime juice together with a sprinkling of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Alternatively, if you prefer a smoother, green-coloured dressing, you can whizz the dressing ingredients in a small blender. Either way, taste and then add more lemon or lime juice or seasoning if you want.
• To prepare the salad, peel the mangoes and carefully slice off each fleshy side close to the stone. Slice the mango flesh lengthways into thin strips. Don't throw the stones away, the flesh still attached is the cook's perk. Separate the slices of ham and thinly slice the mozzarella.
• You can now set everything out on a serving platter, or on individual plates. Pile the rocket in the centre. Arrange a circle of mango and ham round the rocket, sort of weaving them in and out of each other. Finish with an outer ring of overlapping mozzarella slices, then drizzle with the dressing. Grind some extra black pepper on top if you like, and scatter everything with the basil leaves.

WARM LENTIL SALAD WITH SERRANO, CHICKEN & ROCKET

Steps:

• Put the onion in a bowl, drizzle over the vinegar, then season with salt and pepper. Set aside for 10 mins or so until the onion has softened slightly.
• Meanwhile, in another large bowl, mix the parsley and tomatoes with the capers. When ready to serve, tip the lentils into a sieve and rinse with boiling water from the kettle. Drain. Toss the onions and their juices into the lentils, then add the 2 tbsp olive oil and carefully mix everything together. Scoop this onto a large serving platter, then top with the ham, chicken and rocket. Drizzle with more olive oil and a little more vinegar, if you like, then serve.