As fall approaches, Esther Clark invites us to embrace the season with her mouthwatering spicy salad, crowned with a vibrant green dressing.
In a recent interview, Esther revealed her inspiration for this hearty dish, emphasizing its addictive sweet and spicy flavor profile. Central to the salad is the rich, creamy Tesco Finest Kidderton Ash goat’s cheese, which adds an earthy depth. Esther suggests using seasonal squash or pumpkin for optimal flavor, stating, “Decorative carving pumpkins often lack flavor and texture. Instead, choose a robust, seasonal variety.”
The recipe features squash roasted in Tesco Finest Spanish forest honey, which contributes a rich, malty flavor, enhanced by a drizzle of Tesco Finest Sicilian olive oil for that perfect sticky finish. For extra crunch, Esther recommends adding roasted hazelnuts or pecans, though she notes the salad is excellent even on its own.
“This is the ideal transitional dish as we shift from summer to autumn,” she explains, underscoring its seasonal charm.
If you’re interested in making it at home, here’s how:
**Ingredients:**
– 1 large squash or pumpkin, cut into chunky wedges
– 2 tbsp Tesco Finest Sicilian extra-virgin olive oil
– 2 tbsp Tesco Finest Spanish forest honey
– 1/2 tsp chili flakes
– 1 tsp coriander seeds
– 1 x 400g tin chickpeas, drained
– 150g Tesco Finest Kidderton Ash goat’s cheese, thickly sliced
**For the Green Dressing:**
– Handful of mint
– Handful of coriander
– 2 tsp red wine vinegar
– 1/2 tsp sugar
– 1 green chili, thinly sliced
– 70ml Tesco Finest Sicilian extra-virgin olive oil
**Preparation Steps:**
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (or 180°C for fan ovens) or gas mark 6.
2. Toss the squash with olive oil, honey, chili flakes, coriander seeds, and a generous pinch of sea salt. Add the chickpeas and roast for 25-30 minutes, or until the squash is tender and slightly charred.
3. For the dressing, blend the mint, coriander, vinegar, sugar, chili, and oil with a pinch of salt until smooth and vibrant.
4. Place the goat’s cheese slices on a grill-proof baking sheet and grill on high for 3-4 minutes until golden brown.
5. Serve the roasted chickpeas and squash on a plate, topped with the grilled goat’s cheese and drizzled with the green dressing. Finish with a sprinkle of mint and chili if desired.
For those interested, you can find the ingredients for this delightful recipe at Tesco.com. Discover how Tesco Finest can elevate your everyday meals!
