Fig, Walnut and Gorgonzola Salad

Try this dazzling salad. It looks professional and elegant but is extremely easy to make. All you need to remember is to prepare the figs at least an hour in advance of assembling the dish.

Ideal as a lunch party showstopper, or a decadent dinner party starter.

Ingredients:

Packet of Figs (about 6)

Packet of Gorgonzola

Packet of White Chicory

Packet of Red Chicory

50g Walnut halves

Mixed spice

Honey

3 Tbsp's Olive Oil

1 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar (if you can't find it, White Wine Vinegar will do)

1 Tsp Runny Honey

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 150 C

• Quarter the figs. Place skin side down, on a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper

• Sprinkle a little mixed spice over the figs and drizzle with a little honey

• Put the figs in the oven for about 1 hour, until they become dark and tacky

• Turn the oven off and leave the figs in until ready to use

When you're ready to eat....

• Cut the Chicory into quarters and rinse. Cut off the ends so the leaves come off

• Put the walnuts in a pan and toast slightly, stirring constantly. This should take about 2 minutes. Keep an eye on them, they burn easily! Leave to cool

• For the dressing, whisk together the oil, vinegar and honey

• Cube the gorgonzola (as much as you like)

• Put the chicory in a salad bowl and toss with the dressing

• Toss in the walnuts, figs and gorgonzola

Enjoy!

Try This:

• Toast some Bruschetta and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil

• Spread some gorgonzola on top

• Adorn with your roasted figs

Great for dinner party canapes on mini bruschetta bites

All photos in this post are Emerald Kimono originals