
A feast for the eyes as well as the stomach, this salad is a true celebration of the sweet nuttiness that can be found in a savoury dish. Between creamy sweet potato and avocado, marinated goat cheese and crunchy candied pecans, you won’t be able to decide what to eat first!
1 unit
sweet potato
2 packet
pecans
(Contains: Pecan; May be present: Milk, Peanuts, Sesame, Soy, Almond, Brazil nut, Cashew, Hazelnut, Macadamia, Pine Nut, Pistachio, Walnut.)
1 unit
avocado
1 unit
cucumber
1 tub
marinated goat cheese
(Contains: Milk;)
½ tub
Dijon mustard
1 bag
mixed salad leaves
1 unit
rosemary panini
(Contains: Gluten, Soy; May be present: Milk, Sesame, Eggs, Tree Nuts, Lupin.)
1 clove
garlic
olive oil
2 tbs
brown sugar
1 tbs
water
1 tsp
balsamic vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
1 tsp
honey

Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan-forced. Cut the sweet potato (unpeeled) into 1cm cubes. Place the sweet potato on an oven tray lined with baking paper. Drizzle with olive oil and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss to coat and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until tender. TIP: Cut the sweet potato to the correct size so it cooks in the allocated time!

While the sweet potato is roasting, heat a medium frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the pecans and toast, stirring, for 3-4 minutes, or until fragrant. Transfer to a plate.

Return the frying pan to a medium heat and add the brown sugar, the water and a pinch of salt. Cook until melted and bubbling. Return the pecans to the pan and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes, or until the pecans are coated and the caramel has thickened. Transfer to a sheet of baking paper and set aside to cool.

Tear the rosemary panini into 1cm chunks. Finely chop the garlic (or use a garlic press). Place the panini and garlic on a second oven tray lined with baking paper. Drizzle generously with olive oil and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss to coat, arrange in a single layer and bake for 5-7 minutes or until golden. While the croutons are baking, slice the cucumber into half-moons. Cut the avocado into 1cm cubes. TIP: Cut the avocado in its skin then scoop out the flesh using a spoon.

In a large bowl, combine the oil from the marinated goat cheese (3 tsp for 2 people / 1 1/2 tbs for 4 people), the Dijon mustard (see ingredients list), balsamic vinegar and honey. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the roasted sweet potato, cucumber, avocado, croutons and mixed salad leaves and toss to coat. TIP: Allow the sweet potato to cool slightly before adding to the salad to stop the leaves from wilting. TIP: Toss the salad just before serving to keep the leaves and croutons crisp.

Divide the salad between bowls. Top with the marinated goat cheese and the candied pecans.