Main

Grain salad with marinated goat's cheese

Name: Grain salad with marinated goat's cheese
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 450g Japanese pumpkin, cut into 4 wedges; 1 tbs extra virgin olive oil; ½ cup (100g) Israeli couscous; ½ cup (100g) quinoa; ½ cup (100g) pearl barley; ½ cup (80g) mixed seeds, toasted; 1 small fennel bulb, thinly sliced (we used a mandolin); 1 cup (loosely packed) amaranth leaves (or substitute baby spinach); 150g marinated goat’s cheese, drained; 1/3 cup red wine vinegar; ¼ cup currants; 2 small shallots, finely chopped; 1 star anise; ½ cup (125ml) extra virgin olive oil

3 ratings

Jump to recipe

by Colin Fassnidge

Chef and My Kitchen Rules judge

Sep 01, 2018

“This salad is great on its own or equally as good served with your favourite protein” - Colin Fassnidge.

450g Japanese pumpkin, cut into 4 wedges
1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
½ cup (100g) Israeli couscous
½ cup (100g) quinoa
½ cup (100g) pearl barley
½ cup (80g) mixed seeds, toasted
1 small fennel bulb, thinly sliced (we used a mandolin)
1 cup (loosely packed) amaranth leaves (or substitute baby spinach)
150g marinated goat’s cheese, drained

Currant dressing

1/3 cup red wine vinegar
¼ cup currants
2 small shallots, finely chopped
1 star anise
½ cup (125ml) extra virgin olive oil

Method

1.

Preheat the oven to 200°C. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Place pumpkin on tray, drizzle with oil, season and roast for 30-35 minutes or until tender and golden.
2.

Cook Israeli couscous, quinoa and pearl barley separately according to packets instructions. Drain and allow to cool. Place in a large bowl.
3.

For the dressing, place vinegar, currants, shallot and star anise in a small pan, bring to the boil and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat, add oil and season.
4.

To assemble, place pumpkin on a large serving platter. Add half the dressing to the grain mixture, season and toss to combine. Add mixed seeds, fennel and amaranth (or spinach) and toss to combine. Spoon onto serving platter with pumpkin. Top with marinated goat’s cheese and drizzle with remaining dressing.