Strawberry & Feta Salad with Pepita Crunch
A festive salad bursting with flavour. Sweet strawberries, creamy feta, and fresh basil are layered on a bed of greens, then topped with a crunchy, sweet and spicy pepita crunch. A creamy buttermilk and chive dressing completes this stunning dish.
Ingredients
Pepita Crunch
- 1 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 150 grams dry roasted cashews
- 1/2 cup pumpkin kernels
- 1/4 teaspoons chilli flakes
Dressing
- 100 grams creamy feta
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 punnet chives, finely chopped
- 3 teaspoons white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoons maple syrup
Salad Base
- 2 little gem lettuce, leaves separated
- 60 grams baby leaf rocket
- 1 avocado, thickly sliced
- 375 grams strawberries, hulled, sliced thickly
- 1/2 bunch basil
Pepita Crunch
- 1 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 150 grams dry roasted cashews
- 1/2 cup pumpkin kernels
- 1/4 teaspoons chilli flakes
Dressing
- 100 grams creamy feta
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 punnet chives, finely chopped
- 3 teaspoons white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoons maple syrup
Salad Base
- 2 little gem lettuce, leaves separated
- 60 grams baby leaf rocket
- 1 avocado, thickly sliced
- 375 grams strawberries, hulled, sliced thickly
- 1/2 bunch basil
- Step 1 of 3Brush non-stick frying pan with 1 tsp oil. Reserve 1 tsp maple syrup. Add cashews, pumpkin kernels, chilli flakes, and remaining maple syrup to pan. Stir continuously over medium heat for 4 minutes until syrup is sticky. Transfer onto baking paper to cool.
- Step 2 of 3Crumble feta into a jar. Add buttermilk, chives, vinegar, and reserved maple syrup. Season with pepper, screw lid tightly, and shake vigorously.
- Step 3 of 3Layer lettuce and rocket in a large serving bowl. Add avocado, strawberries, basil, and clusters of pepita crunch. Spoon over feta dressing and serve drizzled with remaining oil.
Method
- Step 1 of 3Brush non-stick frying pan with 1 tsp oil. Reserve 1 tsp maple syrup. Add cashews, pumpkin kernels, chilli flakes, and remaining maple syrup to pan. Stir continuously over medium heat for 4 minutes until syrup is sticky. Transfer onto baking paper to cool.
- Step 2 of 3Crumble feta into a jar. Add buttermilk, chives, vinegar, and reserved maple syrup. Season with pepper, screw lid tightly, and shake vigorously.
- Step 3 of 3Layer lettuce and rocket in a large serving bowl. Add avocado, strawberries, basil, and clusters of pepita crunch. Spoon over feta dressing and serve drizzled with remaining oil.
Method
- Step 1 of 3Brush non-stick frying pan with 1 tsp oil. Reserve 1 tsp maple syrup. Add cashews, pumpkin kernels, chilli flakes, and remaining maple syrup to pan. Stir continuously over medium heat for 4 minutes until syrup is sticky. Transfer onto baking paper to cool.
- Step 2 of 3Crumble feta into a jar. Add buttermilk, chives, vinegar, and reserved maple syrup. Season with pepper, screw lid tightly, and shake vigorously.
- Step 3 of 3Layer lettuce and rocket in a large serving bowl. Add avocado, strawberries, basil, and clusters of pepita crunch. Spoon over feta dressing and serve drizzled with remaining oil.