WINTER LEAVES AND PEARS

Anna Cairns Pettigrew brings a touch of freshness to the winter table with vibrant leaf salads, seasonal pears and simple festive dishes that are as beautiful as they are delicious

- Anna Cairns Pettigrew

PEAR AND HAZELNUT SALAD

This is one of my favourite salads to serve in the colder months. Ripe pears, crunchy nuts and seasonal leaves all come together to make a hearty and filling salad

Serves 4 Prep time: 25 minutes Cook time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

2 tbsp honey

1-2 large rosemary sprigs

3 tbsp olive oil

3 tbsp walnuts

Zest and juice of half a lemon

150g (5.2oz) mixed winter leaves

2 pears, thinly sliced

50g (1.7oz) Gorgonzola or Cambozola cheese

Method:

1. Heat the honey and rosemary in a small pan with 1tbsp boiling water. Bring to a simmer and let it bubble for around 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and allow to infuse.

2. Heat a frying pan and drizzle in a little oil. Add the hazelnuts and toast until golden and starting to char a little here and there. Remove from the pan, allow to cool, then roughly chop to make rustic crumbs. Mix with the lemon zest and some seasoning.

3. To make a dressing, combine the olive oil and balsamic vinegar with some seasoning. Toss the salad leaves in most of the dressing, then arrange on serving plates or a platter, layering the leaves with the pear slices. Top with the cheese and the walnut crumb, then drizzle over some of the rosemary honey and the remaining dressing.

WINTER CITRUS AND LEAF SALAD WITH PISTACHIOS AND FETA