Ainsley Harriott's - Beetroot salad with sultanas, basil and lemon croutons
Category: Ainsley Harriott
Servings
Serves 4
Ingredients
2 thick granary bread slices, crusts removed and 1 day old
120ml (4fl oz) olive oil
finely grated rind and juice of 1 lemon
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
400g (14oz) cooked beetroot, cut into chunky cubes
75g (3oz) goats' cheese
50g (2oz) sultanas
15g (1/2oz) fresh basil leaves
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method
Rip the slices of bread into 1cm (1/2in) pieces. Heat three tablespoons of the oil in a small non-stick frying pan, add the bread pieces and sprinkle over the lemon rind. Cook over a medium heat for 3 minutes or until they are crisp and have a nutty golden colour. Tip on to kitchen paper and season to taste. Set aside.
To make the dressing; place the balsamic vinegar in a screw-topped jar with the lemon juice and remaining five tablespoons of olive oil. Season to taste and shake well to combine.
To assemble the salad, place beetroot cubes on a large plate or platter and crumble over the goats' cheese, then sprinkle the sultanas on top with the croutons and basil leaves. Drizzle over the dressing and serve immediately.
