Root vegetable and feta cheese salad

METHOD

1. If using leftover root vegetables, chop them into bite size chunks if needed. If making this recipe from scratch follow the roasted root vegetable recipe.

2. Lightly toast the pine nuts on a dry pan for a few minutes until pale gold. Don’t walk away from the pan as they burn incredibly quickly.

3. Wash and drain the rocket before putting in a wide salad bowl. Arrange root vegetables on top, scatter the pine nuts and crumble the cheese over the salad.

4. To make the dressing, mix the extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, salt (if using) and black pepper in a screw top jar and give it a good shake, or mix in a bowl with a small whisk, before pouring over the salad. Serve immediately with some granary or wholemeal bread drizzle with olive oil.

5. For small children, you might want to leave the rocket leaves out if you think that may put them off the salad and serve the vegetables drizzled with the olive oil and some cubed cheese and bread for them to eat as finger food.

6. For babies, puree the vegetables and add a splash of full-falt, breast or follow-on milk. You could also try adding some yogurt or very low salt cheese. Leave the pine nuts out.

INFORMATION

For small children, you might want to leave the rocket leaves out if you think that may put them off the salad and serve the vegetables drizzled with the olive oil and some cubed cheese and bread for them to eat as finger food.
For babies, puree the vegetables and add a splash of full-falt, breast or follow-on milk. You could also try adding some yogurt or very low salt cheese. Leave the pine nuts out.

VARIANTS

Try other types of crumbly cheese such as goats cheese or for a softer version mozzarella or in fact, whichever cheese your family likes!
If dairy is not an option, try a few slices of cured ham (Spanish Serrano or Italian Prosciutto ) or leftover roast chicken.
For a completely vegan option, add some cooked butter beans instead of the cheese or ham.
For a lunch-on the-go version, why not roll a good helping of salad into a wholemeal wrap or tortilla?