RAVISHING RED LEAF SALAD WITH PEARS

If you're a fan of fresh, vibrant salads that are as beautiful to look at as they are to eat, then you should try our ravishing Red Leaf Salad. A wonderful concoction of sweet pears, salty cheese and a lush vinaigrette. The perfect fall or winter side that is both elegant and satisfying.

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Red leaf salad on black plate with red lettuce leaves and rosemary stems on the side as well as a small bowl with honey.

A Family Dinner Favourite: Imagine a cozy family dinner gathering, where laughter fills the air and delicious aromas waft from the kitchen.

Picture a succulent pork belly roast, perfectly paired with crispy potatoes straight from the oven. And amidst it all, our Red Leaf Salad shines bright, bringing a burst of freshness and balance to the table.

It's moments like these that create cherished memories and keep us coming back for more.

But, why stop there? Try some of our other family favourites like our Greek Salad, boasting juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and tangy feta cheese, or our vibrant Strawberry Balsamic Salad, featuring a delightful blend of sweet and savoury flavours.

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Let’s Talk Ingredients and Substitutions

Red leaf lettuce forms the fresh, colourful base of our salad. Swap it with butter or oak leaf lettuce for a similarly tender texture.
Raw asparagus adds a crisp, earthy flavour. Thinly sliced green beans are a great alternative.
Pears bring a sweet juiciness. Apples can substitute for a different, yet delightful, crunch and sweetness. Or if you are making this salad during the summer nectarines and peaches are great in this salad as well.
Manchego cheese lends a rich, nutty essence. Parmesan, pecorino or aged cheddar offers a similar depth. For a twist try some tangy feta or creamy goats cheese.
Honey rosemary vinaigrette, the heart of our salad, marries every element. You can swap the honey for maple syrup if preferred. For a tangy dressing alternative try our Dijon mustard vinaigrette or add a pop of citrus with our zesty orange dressing.

LABELLED PEAR MANCHEGO SALAD INGREDIENTS

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 - Prepare Ingredients

Let's prep our ingredients to perfection! Start by trimming the root end from your vibrant red leaf lettuce, then pluck away any sad, damaged leaves.

HANDS TRIMMING ROOT FROM LETTUCE ON WOODEN BOARD WITH KNIFE

Separate the leaves, pop them into a colander and give them a good rinse under gently running cold water to ensure they're squeaky clean.

Be gentle as we don’t want to damage them they are quite delicate.

WASHING RED LETTUCE LEAVES IN COLANDER IN SINK UNDER RUNNING WATER

Once they're nice and clean, give them a good shake to remove excess water, or if you have a salad spinner, go ahead and spin them dry for that extra crispiness.

Now, tear those beautiful lettuce leaves into bite-sized pieces.

HANDS TEARLING RED LETTUCE LEAVES OVER GLASS BOWL

Next up, it's time to show some love to the gorgeous asparagus. Give them a good wash and trim off the woody ends (about 2.5cm/1 inch from the bottom).

HANDS TRIMMING ASPARAGUS ON WOODEN BOARD WITH KNIFE

Now we are going to line them up diagonally so that they are easier to cut.

HANDS LINING UP SPEARS DIAGONALLY ON WOODEN BOARD WITH KNIFE

Slice them thinly at an angle for that extra flair, don’t they look pretty. 😊

HANDS CUTTING SPEARS ON THE DIAGONAL ON WOODEN BOARD WITH KNIFE

Moving on to the juicy, sweet pears! Wash them well, then quarter them, carefully stand them up and slice off their cores,

HANDS CUTTING PEAR CORE ON WOODEN BOARD WITH KNIFE & PEARS ON THE SIDE

Then, chop them into delectable bite-sized pieces.

💡 TOP TIP - You can add your cut pears to a saltwater bath to prevent them from browning but they must be firm, soft pears will turn to mush if you do this. 

Mix one teaspoon of salt into two cups of water and let your pears soak in the solution for a few minutes. Give them a rinse and pat them dry before adding to your salad.

DICED UP PEAR ON WOODEN BOARD WITH KNIFE AND CORE PEARS ON THE SIDE

Last but certainly not least, let's talk about the pièce de résistance - the manchego cheese.

Let's get cheesy! Using a vegetable peeler or a y-peeler, shave off those delightful cheese curls until you have about ⅓ of a cup.

HANDS SHAVING MANCHEGO CHEESE ON WOODEN BOARD WITH PEELER

Step 2 - Shake-Up That Dressing

Time to work some magic with the dressing! Start by washing and drying your fragrant rosemary sprigs, then delicately strip the leaves from the stems and chop them finely.

HANDS FINELY CHOPPING ROSEMARY ON WOODEN BOARD WITH KNIFE

Now, grab a glass jar and combine all the dressing ingredients. Add some salt and pepper to season.

HONEY ROSEMARY VINAIGRETTE INGREDIENTS IN GLASS JAR

Then let the fun part begin - shake vigorously to emulsify all those flavourful elements.

💡 Pro Tip: Taste the dressing and adjust the seasonings according to your personal preference. It's all about finding that perfect balance of flavours!

SHAKEN HONEY ROSEMARY VINAIGRETTE DRESSING

Step 3 - Assemble Your Spectacular Salad

We've reached the final stretch! Gather all your beautifully prepared ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

PEAR AND MANCHEGO SALAD INGREDIENTS IN GLASS BOWL

Sprinkle with some sea salt and black pepper to season, pour over that sensational dressing.

HANDS POURING DRESSING OVER PEAR MANCHEGO SALAD

Then give it all a good mix and once everything is beautifully combined, transfer it to a salad bowl and get ready to impress.

MIXING PEAR MANCHEGO SALAD with tongs IN A GLASS BOWL TO COMBINE

Voila! Your Red Leaf Salad is ready to steal the spotlight at your table.

Serving Suggestions 🍽

This Red Leaf Salad pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes, including grilled chicken, roasted salmon, or even a roasted vegetable medley.

For a complete meal, serve it alongside a succulent pork belly roast and crispy potatoes like we did.

Common Questions and Tips

Choose pears carefully!

Make sure to use ripe, but firm pears for the best texture. Soft pears don’t hold well in this salad. Try a Packham or William Bartlett variety.

I can''t find Manchego, can I use a different cheese?

Having trouble finding Manchego cheese? No worries!

You can easily swap it out with some delicious Parmesan or tangy pecorino cheese in this salad. Alternatively, you can also add some tangy feta or creamy goat cheese for a delightful twist.

Can I make It ahead?

This red leaf salad is really a make me and eat me now type of salad. However, you can prepare the dressing several days in advance and store it in a glass container in the fridge. Just bring it to room temperature and shake to emulsify before tossing through the salad.

How can I make this salad more filling?

Feel free to add protein-rich ingredients such as pulled pork, grilled shrimp, sliced grilled steak, or roasted chickpeas to make the salad more substantial and satisfying.

What diets is it suitable for?

Our red leaf salad is perfect for those following a gluten-free, nut-free, or vegetarian lifestyle. Don’t forget to check your packaged ingredients though!
To make it vegan-friendly, simply swap out the cheese for a vegan alternative and replace the honey with maple syrup.
If you're aiming for a paleo diet, just skip the cheese altogether and opt for unadulterated raw honey.