Lettuce & Pine Nut Salad

This is a salad that swings both ways, regionally speaking. It has Italian leanings, with the pine nuts that go so well with basil and a bowl of pasta; but it's a side that would also lend itself well to something more Middle Eastern, like cous cous or bulgur wheat with some mint or coriander. Either way, this salad is cheerfully quick to prepare, looks really pretty and tastes very good. Oh, and the pine nuts are super nutritious and healthy too.

Ingredients

  • Lettuce
  • Red Onion
  • Pine Nuts
  • Red Peppers
  • Dressing
  • Lemon
  • Olive Oil

Wash the Lettuce leaves

Finely slice the Red Onion

Toast the Pine Nuts in a pan over a medium heat, no oil, for just a few minutes.  Keep an eye on them for the whole time as they burn (annoyingly) quickly.  Once they start to colour a little, turn the heat off and transfer them to a plate to cool

Finely slice the Red Peppers

Lay the Lettuce leaves out, with the sliced Red Onions and Peppers scattered over the top

Sprinkle the Pine Nuts over just before serving… with a big squeeze of Lemon and a drizzle of good quality Olive Oil

A Tahini Dressing would go well with this – as would a more French style dressing

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