Spinach, Roast Parsnip, Pancetta & Dolcelatte Salad

Here’s a delicious, restaurant-quality salad for 2 people featuring baby spinach leaves, roast parsnip, pancetta, crushed hazelnuts, and Dolcelatte cheese, with a complementary dressing.

Serves: 2

 Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

 Equipment:

• Chopping board & knife

• Baking tray

• Frying pan

• Small mixing bowl (for dressing)

• Salad bowl or platter

• Wooden spoon or spatula

• Small saucepan or dry frying pan (for hazelnuts, optional)

 Ingredients:

Salad:

• 100g baby spinach leaves

• 1 medium parsnip, peeled and cut into thin batons

• 75g pancetta cubes or lardons

• 40g Dolcelatte cheese, crumbled

• 2 tbsp hazelnuts, roughly crushed (toasted if desired)

• Olive oil (for roasting)

• Salt and pepper to taste

Dressing:

• 1.5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1 tsp white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• ½ tsp honey

• Salt & black pepper to taste

 Method:

1. Roast the Parsnip

• Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan) / 400°F / Gas 6.

• Toss parsnip batons with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper.

• Spread on a baking tray and roast for 18–20 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and soft.

2. Fry the Pancetta

• While the parsnip roasts, heat a dry frying pan over medium heat.

• Add pancetta and fry for 4–5 minutes, until crisp and golden.

• Drain on kitchen paper if there’s excess fat.

3. Toast the Hazelnuts (Optional)

• In a small dry pan, toast hazelnuts over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant. Let cool slightly, then crush roughly.

4. Make the Dressing

• In a small bowl, whisk together:

  • Olive oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper

• Taste and adjust balance (add more honey if too sharp, or more mustard if too mild).

5. Assemble the Salad

• In a large bowl or platter, place spinach leaves.

• Add warm roasted parsnips, pancetta, and sprinkle with hazelnuts.

• Crumble Dolcelatte over the top.

• Drizzle with the dressing and gently toss or serve dressing on the side.

 Nutritional Information (Per Serving — Approximate):

Note: Nutritional values will vary slightly depending on the exact brands and portion sizes used.

 Tips:

• Substitute blue cheese (like Gorgonzola or Stilton) if Dolcelatte is unavailable.

• Add apple slices or pear for a sweet contrast.

• For a vegetarian version, skip pancetta and add roasted chickpeas or smoked tofu.