This Grilled Romaine Hearts with Figs, Pear and Manchego salad makes a great starter or lunch. Perfect for entertaining too!
Spring is here, time to whip out those salads!
I was expecting to post this salad on a warm, sunny day ā kind of like the weather last week. But for some reason, it seems to have gone back to Winter! We had big fat hailstones yesterday, and itās looking pretty miserable again today.
But I donāt care. Iād eat this salad any time!
In fact the first time I made this one was for Superfood magazine back in December. It did feel a little strange eating salad whilst the Christmas tree was up, but come onā¦..
Manchego?
Figs?
Pear?
Walnuts?
Plus an amazing honey-balsamic vinaigrette? I was definitely eating it!
I made 6 filling salads altogether for Superfood, and Iām going to be sharing all of them with you over the next few weeks.
And itās probably a good thing Iāve already got this yummy salad photographed because I canāt eat green stuff this week. Or red stuff.Ā Or anything that isnāt white or light in colour.
Yep, Iāve gone down the vain approach of getting my teeth whitened. I had them done about 10 years ago at the dentist, and decided they needed a bit of a top up (not glow-in-the-dark, just nice, bright pearlies please!). This time Iām doing it at home over the course of a week.
Iāve got to wear these strange-looking plastic teeth-guard-type-things filled with whitening solution overnight for 7 to 10 days.
Three days in, and I know I definitely wonāt last the full 10 days.
White food is so boring!!
At least it is when youāre trying not to stuff yourself with bread, cream, mayo, ice cream and cheese!
Iām missing kale, and coffee, and raspberries and chocolate and green smoothies soooo much!
Iāve even considered melting chocolate and just drinking it through a straw. Bad Nicky.
Just a few more days to go, then Iām having a large latte and a chocolate cake.
Have a guess what Fridayās recipe is going to beā¦ā¦.
Risotto! Yay! I actually love risotto, so Iām good with that white food. Itās a spring veg risotto, so I may have to miss out the green stuff (boo hoo) but Iām sure you guys can eat all that lovely asparagus and broccoli for me.
TheĀ Grilled Romaine Hearts with Figs, Pear and Manchego Recipe:
Grilled Romaine Hearts with Figs, Pear and Manchego
Ingredients
- 2 romaine hearts
- 3 figs cut into halves
- 1 pear - cored and sliced thinly
- 50 g shelled walnuts - lightly chopped
- 50 g Manchego - crumbled
- Dressing:
- 6 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- salt & pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- Slice the romaine hearts in half lengthwise. Whisk together the dressing ingredients using a fork.
- Heat a griddle plate or pan and brush lightly with oil. Brush the cut side of the romaine hearts with the balsamic dressing and place on the griddle cut-side-down. Cook for 3-5 minutes until charred griddle lines appear (no need to turn over). Brush the figs with the dressing and place on the griddle for the last minute of cooking.
- Place the romaine on a large serving plate, cut side up. Slice the halved figs into quarters and scatter on top of the romaine along with the sliced pear, walnuts and crumbled manchego. Serve with the remaining dressing.
ā Notes
Nutrition
Kath says
I didn't realise until a few years ago how much I love figs, this salad is absolutely delicious.
Cheri Williams says
Nicky do you think you could do the romaine and figs in advance and serve chilled???
Tina says
Wow that sounds like a killer combination! Thanks for the idea.
Rainbow Delicious (@rainbowdelish) says
This looks so unique and delicious! I'm so excited it is grill season!
Nicky Corbishley says
I hope you give them a go - they're so good!!
annie says
I've only recently started to appreciate romaine (used to be about dark greens or nothin') and now I need to make up for all that I've missed. I will definitely be trying this when we break out the grill!
Nicky Corbishley says
Absolutely! I love the dark green stuff too, but the sweet crunchiness of romaine is so good!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
I love a grilled salad! Add Manchego and you take it over the top. This look delicious!
Nicky Corbishley says
Thanks Karen š
Fuss Free Helen says
The weather is insane here - snow, sunshine and now lots of thunder.
Lovely salad, I love figs so much.
Nicky Corbishley says
I know, I got caught in the snow yesterday, yet I was wearing a t-shirt this time last week. Madness!!
Glad you like the salad š
gingey bites says
This looks divine - my kind of salad (i.e. cheese!!). I think this would be perfect for a dinner party starter š Good Luck with the teeth whitening!
Nicky Corbishley says
ha ha thanks š I ate a raspberry yesterday and panicked i'd have pink teeth. The things we do for vanity!!!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
What a lovely way to use figs! Who says that salads are boring?! This looks beautiful.
Nicky Corbishley says
Thanks Danni, I agree, salads definitely should not be boring, there are so many ways to make a fab salad š