Rocket Salad with Serrano Ham, Manchego Cheese and Hazelnuts

, from Issue #20, page 86. August, 2015
Photography by Aaron McLean.
Rocket Salad with Serrano Ham, Manchego Cheese and Hazelnuts

Even though the three main ingredients in this salad come from different regions of Spain: La Mancha for Manchego cheese; Huelva for jamón and Catalonia for hazelnuts, they are perfectly suited to being served together, as in this salad.

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS

100 grams wild rocket
100 grams baby spinach
12 slices Serrano ham
Manchego cheese for shaving
½ cup hazelnuts, roasted, loose skins rubbed off

Dressing
1 shallot, very finely chopped
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon grain mustard
1 clove garlic, crushed
¼ cup olive oil
sea salt and freshly ground pepper

METHOD

Dressing: Combine the shallot and vinegar in a bowl and leave for 10 minutes. Whisk in the remaining ingredients and season.

To serve: Toss the rocket and spinach with just enough dressing to coat the leaves. Lay the Serrano ham on serving plates and top with a pile of salad leaves. Shave over the Manchego cheese. Roughly chop the hazelnuts and scatter over the salad. Drizzle the remaining dressing over the top.