Method
Vinaigrette
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1 tspn Vino Cotto
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1 cup flat leaf parsley
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4 tbspn extra virgin olive oil
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1 tbspn aged red wine vinegar
Salad
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6 baby beetroot
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To taste salt flakes
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400g pumpkin
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2 medium red onions peeled and cut into quarters
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1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
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To taste freshly ground black pepper
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2 small radicchio
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1 medium ripe avocado
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1 tin tinned chickpeas
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1 cup young celery leaves
Cheat’s chickpea, pumpkin and roasted onion salad
Method
Preheat oven to 180C.
Starting with cold water, bring the beetroots to boil in their skin with a little salt for about 30 minutes until almost cooked. Drain, and place on a baking tray.
Roast the beetroots in the oven until quite tender, approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
Slice pumpkin into wedges, leaving the skin on. Place the pumpkin and onion on a baking tray covered with baking paper and drizzle with ¼ cup (60 millilitres) of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and roast for approximately half an hour to cook through and caramelise.
Heat grill pan over a high heat. Slice the radicchio into quarters, removing as much stalk without letting it fall apart. Toss with the remaining amount of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and grill on both sides until well caramelised, about 2 minutes per side. Set aside.
Slice avocado in half, cut into chunks and drizzle with lemon.
Rinse the chick peas in fresh water and drain well.
Combine all ingredients using a large mixing bowl.
To make the dressing, combine the Red Wine Vinegar, Vino Cotto and Extra Virgin Olive Oil with the flat leaf parsley in a mixing bowl. Whisk together well and season to taste. Taste for balance and adjust if necessary.
Add the dressing to the large mixing bowl and gently toss together.
Place onto a large serving platter.
Tips and Tricks
Maggie’s Tip: Buy the best quality chickpeas you can find or better still cook your own.
This salad is a perfect way to use up your leftover roast vegetables. Experiment using other classics such as potato, sweet potato, zucchini, carrot or other vegetables needing to be used up.
If you have leftover dressing, store it in a jar or airtight container for up to a week. It can easily be used again for another leafy salad or something more substantial.