Brie Watercress And Bacon Salad With Spicy Pear Dressing Recipes

BRIE, WATERCRESS AND BACON SALAD WITH SPICY PEAR DRESSING

Steps:

• For the salad, heat a frying pan and fry the bacon for 2-3 minutes.
• Add the croissant pieces and a little olive oil and fry until the bacon and croissants are golden-brown and crisp. Remove from the pan and drain on kitchen paper.
• Place the herbs, watercress and Brie into a bowl and mix well.
• For the spicy pear and chilli dressing, melt the butter in a small saucepan, add the chopped pear and cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Add the sugar, vinegar, chilli flakes and olive oil and cook for a further 1-2 minutes.
• To serve, place the herbs, watercress and Brie onto a plate, top with the bacon and croissant croûtons and pour over the dressing.

BACON-WATERCRESS SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• Meanwhile, segment the oranges: Cut the ends off, then cut away the peel and white pith. Working over a bowl, cut along both sides of each membrane with a paring knife to remove the segments, allowing them to drop into the bowl. Discard any seeds.
• Put the garlic on a cutting board and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt, then mash into a paste with the flat side of a large knife. Whisk the vinegar and garlic paste in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper, then whisk in the olive oil. Add the watercress, parsley and escarole and toss to coat. Divide the salad among plates and crumble the bacon on top. Sprinkle with the oranges, hazelnuts, dates and blue cheese. Serve with cornbread, if desired.

PEAR, ENDIVE AND WATERCRESS SALAD

Steps:

• Slice goat cheese into 6 equal portions; form each into ball. Flatten cheese balls into 2-inch-diameter rounds. Place breadcrumbs in shallow dish. Coat cheese rounds completely with breadcrumbs. Cover and chill at least 1 hour.
• Mix vinegar, garlic clove, shallot and Dijon mustard in blender. With machine running, gradually add walnut oil. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. Set dressing aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add cheese rounds to skillet and sauté until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer cheese rounds to paper towels; let drain completely.
• Toss pears, endive and watercress in large bowl with enough dressing to coat. Divide salad among 6 plates. Sprinkle walnuts over salads. Place 1 goat cheese round in center of each salad and serve.