Belgian Endive, Roquefort, Apple and Walnut Salad

Greens, cheese, fruit and nuts. Mix them together and you've created the kind of winter salad that I love! In this case, a salad of Belgian Endive, Roquefort, Apples and Walnuts.

Roquefort, as I've said before, is not one of my favorite cheeses. It's a shame really, as we live just next door to Roquefort country.
I do however, love it cooked into tarts and added (with a light hand) to salads.

Belgian endive has an earthy, invigorating flavor and crisp texture that lends itself perfectly to salads. Especially hearty, composed salads that include apples for a hit of sweet, Roquefort or blue cheese for a nice, creamy, tangy flavor and chopped walnuts for richness.
This combination is heavenly!


Belgian Endive, Roquefort, Apple and Walnut Salad
serves 6

• 6 medium Belgian endive
• 6 ounces Roquefort cheese at room temperature, crumbled
  
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped
• 1 tart apple (I use Granny Smith), peeled, cored and cut into 1/2 inch pieces

• 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• salt and freshly ground black pepper

Make the vinaigrette: Mix the salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar together in a bowl until the salt is dissolved. Slowly add the oil in a steady stream, whisking constantly until the mixture has emulsified. Add the garlic and whisk again.

For the salad: Just before serving, otherwise they will discolor on the edges, remove the outer leaves from the endive and separate the other leaves from the core. Wash and dry them, then cut into thin, crosswise slices.
Place the sliced endive, crumbled Roquefort, chopped walnuts and chopped apple in a bowl.
Pour the vinaigrette over everything and mix well.
Serve immediately.

Belgian endive is made up of 90% water and is rich in potassium, calcium, folate and vitamins A and K. When choosing, look for leaves should are white with pale green edges, firm and closed into a tight cylinder.

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