It’s official. It’s the end of summer. Last week we lighted our fire place for the very first time this season. Boo-hoo. I am absolutely a summer person and I find winter cozy but most of all cold, boring and wet. To imagine myself again in the pool, with a glass of wine in my hand and the braai on, I’ll share this beautiful fig summer salad with you. You can serve it as a side dish, or as a main, for example at a casual lunch. The most important about this recipe is the quality of your products. Beautiful fresh, ripe figs, a quality goat’s cheese and mozzarella. Nice Italian ham. Enough freshly ground black pepper and a nice olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I would say a fig salad like this is pure luxury. The best of the deli all on one plate.
Ingredients (side salad for 6)
6-8 big figs, quartered
1 ball of quality buffalo mozzarella, teared in pieces
150 gram soft goat’s cheese, cut or teared into pieces
2 packets of Parma Ham (I like the one from Woolworths), rolled up in small ‘roses’
1 bag of rocket
virgin olive oil
balsamico vinger
teaspoon of honey
teaspoon of mustard (optional)
black pepper
pinch of salt
Method
This is so simple. Make the dressing by mixing the olive oil, balsamic vinegar and a teaspoon of honey in a whisking bowl, together with a pinch of salt and pepper. If you’d like the dressing ’thicker’, also add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard. If you are happy with a simple dressing forget about the mustard. I love mustard but in a dressing like this I found it not really necessary.
Wash the rocket, dry and divide on a big salad dish. Sprinkle and toss already half of the salad dressing on the rocket.
Divide the figs evenly, together with the mozzarella, goat’s cheese and Parmaham. Sprinkle with the other half of the dressing, give it another grind of pepper and serve directly. Bon Appétit !
