Day Twenty Two on the Advent Calendar
and
Christmas Deli Salad with Pomegranate,
Parma Ham and Gorgonzola
22nd December
2011
Window twenty two is
The Three Kings
We Three Kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light
A fabulous wilted salad boasting the rich, festive colours of vibrant crimson reds and lush holly greens, as well as being full of flavour ~ this is simply a wonderful salad for the Christmas or New Year family table. Please do use any blue cheese or ham of your choice; Stilton or Roquefort would be lovely as well as Prosciutto or Bayonne ham…….and, if you are serving any vegetarians, just leave the ham out of the equation.
The dressing can be made up a few hours or a day beforehand, just wilt the leaves and assemble the salad right before serving. Serve this salad with crusty rolls or some thinly sliced rye bread and a glass of chilled Rosé or Chardonnay. The inspiration for this salad came from a Christmas cookery leaflet with a National newspaper last year, I can’t remember which paper it was though……..this is my edited version of that recipe.
This salad is my suggested offering for Christmas Eve, a vibrant and colourful salad to start the festive celebrations…..or, maybe this salad will sit well on the Boxing Day buffet table. Wherever or whenever you serve it I am sure it will be met with pleasure and compliments as it really is a stunning little number!
We are nearly at the end of my Advent Calendar posts now, only three days to go, but as soon as all of the doors have been opened here, I will be sharing lots of new seasonal recipes, as well as produce tasting notes and some new reviews……and, watch out for my weekly ingredient posts in the New Year too!.See you tomorrow and I hope you are all prepared and relaxed!
Karen
Christmas Deli Salad with Pomegranate,
Parma Ham and Gorgonzola
Ingredients:
Deli Salad
- 250g radicchio chicory lettuce (red endive leaves)
- 250g savoy cabbage (the green leaves only)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 200g gorgonzola, cubed
- 300g parma ham, shredded
- 50g olives (black or green)
- 100g pomegranate seeds (from one or two pomegranates)
- 100g rocket ( arugula)
Dressing:
- 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 50ml olive oil
- salt and pepper
Method:
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.
A Trifle Rushed says
Yummy, a perfect salad for now. I always like a few lighter meals just before the huge lunch on Christmas day itself!
Dom at Belleau Kitchen says
So pretty. Those pomegranates look like sparkling jewels on the plate and I adore Gorgonzola so this is ideal for me!
Marie says
What a delicious looking Bejeweled Salad Karen! xxoo
Laura@howtocookgoodfood says
I feel good just looking at this salad, packed full of so many of my favourite ingredients. Just perfect for me on Boxing Day Eve….never tried Savoy cabbage before in a salad either!x
Baking Addict says
Such a beautiful looking salad. I love the colours! It looks healthy, delicious and festive!
Elaine says
A fabulously festive salad! Look delicious.
Lauren says
Gorgeous! My parents are doing all the holiday cooking, but I'll have to try this when things settle down after the new year. It's so pretty!
millefeuilles says
Green and red? Perfect light relief for this festive season.
Stephanie
Janice says
Gosh Karen, so many of my favourite ingredients in there, it looks amazing.