🥗 Endive, Blue Cheese & Walnut Salad – A Harmony of Contrasts ✨

Freshness, crunch, boldness, and sweetness. This salad, both rustic and refined, brings together the subtle bitterness of endive, the creaminess of blue cheese, the round flavor of walnuts, and, optionally, a sweet touch from apple. A seasonal recipe perfect for spring lunches, to enjoy with ease and simplicity.

💼 Ingredients (serves 2)

• 2 large endives

• 40 g blue cheese (Roquefort or similar)

• 20–25 g walnut halves

• 1 tsp honey (optional)

• 1 tbsp walnut oil (or olive oil)

• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)

• Salt, pepper

• Optional: 1/2 apple (Gala for sweetness, Granny Smith for a tangy twist)

🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the endives

Trim off the hard, bitter base, then slice the endives into thin strips.

2. Add the ingredients

– Crumble the blue cheese over the endives.

– Roughly chop the walnuts and add them in.

– If using apple, dice it finely or slice it thin.

3. Make the vinaigrette

In a small bowl, mix the oil, vinegar, honey (if using), a pinch of salt, and freshly ground pepper.

4. Assemble the salad

Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently just before serving.

🌟 Tips & Variations

• For a perfectly balanced sweet-savory touch, add both the apple and a drizzle of honey.

• Swap Roquefort for Bleu d’Auvergne, Fourme d’Ambert, or a mild sheep’s cheese for a softer version.

• Add a handful of toasted hazelnuts or pumpkin seeds for extra crunch.

🌱 Alternative Versions

Mild vegetarian version:

Use fresh goat cheese or feta instead of blue cheese.

Vegan version:

Try a plant-based blue "cheese" (or crumbled fermented tofu), walnut oil, and a vinaigrette made with maple syrup and mild mustard.

🛠️ Recommended Tools

• A glass (or stylish metal) salad bowl to elevate presentation – Check out the Quttin 4-piece silver & black set

• A sharp knife to slice apples or endives with precision – See the Ninja StaySharp knife block

• A small measuring spoon to perfectly balance honey and vinegar – because precision makes all the difference !

🧃 Perfect Pairing

Serve this salad with a slice of toasted country bread, a glass of dry cider, or a light herbal tea for a simple, comforting, and seasonal meal. Bon appétit! ✨