VERTICAL PEAR SALAD
This is just a fun little spin on the classic pear salad, using the whole pear and a light touch. It does take a little persuasion to make your pear stand up, but trust me they look so fantastic once complete that you will be glad you took the time. I can just imagine a row of these placed down the centre of a long white serving platter or board for the ultimate wow factor. I would place them in the centre of the table as you would do a bowl of salad to be served as an accompaniment to roast meat, seafood or BBQ. Have a go, they don't need to be perfect, the more rustic the better.
INGREDIENTS
50 g (1/2 bunch) rocket, trimmed
Handful snow pea tendrils
50 g piece Parmesan, shaved
40 g (1/3 cup) walnut pieces
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1 to 3 (about 300g) ripe pear (depending on how many pears you wish to assemble
DRESSING
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
Salt & pepper to taste
METHOD
1. Take your pears and cut then into three even sized pieces. In the base of the pear, carefully hollow out a small section, where your salad will sit. For the middle layer, carefully cut a ring out of the centre. Leave the top layer as is.
2. For your salad combine all your ingredients in a bowl. Mix dressing ingredients together and lightly dress your salad, just before you are ready to assemble.
3. To assemble your pears, carefully fill the bottom layer of your pears with the salad, gently place the next layer on top and fill with more salad. Gently pop the last piece of your pear on top and serve.
NOTE: This salad is a bit of a balancing act, but it is well worth it for the wow factor!