Cheese truffle appetizer salad

Appetizer Salad with Cheese Truffles

Who doesn't love a delicious salad full of surprises? This appetizer salad with cheese truffles is perfect for delighting your guests' taste buds or enjoying a light and healthy meal.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 10 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Number of servings: 4

Necessary ingredients:
- 500 g lamb's lettuce (or mixed salad)
- 400 g feta cheese
- 4 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 teaspoons mustard
- 1 lemon (just over 100 ml juice)
- 150 g smoked pastrami
- 2 eggs
- 2 cucumbers
- 1 carrot
- 1 cup roasted walnut kernels
- 1 teaspoon black sesame
- Sweet paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil

Recipe history:
Salads have been part of the human diet for millennia, often associated with light and healthy meals. Combining cheese with fresh vegetables has always been a popular choice due to the contrast of textures and complementary flavors. The cheese truffles in this recipe add a touch of originality and refinement, transforming an ordinary salad into a true feast for the senses.

Preparing the salad:

1. Preparing the pastrami: Start by heating a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the strips of smoked pastrami and fry them until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. This step will add a savory taste and a crunchy texture to your salad. If you don't have pastrami, you can use bacon or smoked ham, but make sure to fry them well for an optimal result.

2. The omelet: In a bowl, beat the two eggs with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour the mixture into the skillet where you fried the pastrami (make sure to remove excess fat) and fry the omelet on both sides until golden. Once ready, let it cool slightly, then cut it into thin strips, the size of noodles.

3. Preparing the vegetables: Wash the lamb's lettuce well and let it drain. Peel the carrot and grate it on the large grater. Wash the cucumbers, cut them in half lengthwise, and remove the seeds (you can use a teaspoon to do this). Then cut them into thin strips to easily integrate into the salad.

4. The cheese truffles: In a bowl, mix the feta cheese with the 4 tablespoons of sour cream, the grated zest of one lemon, and pepper. Use a fork to mash the cheese and obtain a homogeneous mixture. Form small balls (truffles) from the mixture, in the center of which you can add a walnut kernel. Roll the truffles in sweet paprika for an extra touch of color and flavor.

5. Preparing the dressing: In a jar, mix the remaining sour cream, mustard, juice from half a lemon, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Shake the jar well to emulsify the dressing. This sauce will add a note of freshness and a perfect contrast to the cheese and pastrami.

6. Assembling the salad: In a large bowl, combine the lamb's lettuce, grated carrot, cucumbers, cut omelet, and crispy pastrami. Gently mix everything to avoid crushing the ingredients. Then, add the dressing and mix again, ensuring all ingredients are coated.

7. Serving: Arrange the salad on a serving platter, decorate with the cheese truffles, and sprinkle the black sesame on top for an elegant appearance.

Serving suggestions: This appetizer salad with cheese truffles pairs perfectly with a dry white wine or a fresh cocktail, such as a mojito. Additionally, a slice of toasted bread is ideal to complete the meal.

Tips and variations: You can add other crunchy vegetables, such as bell peppers or arugula, to diversify the taste. Also, for an extra flavor, you can use goat cheese instead of feta.

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use other types of cheese? Yes, goat cheese or cottage cheese can be excellent alternatives.
- How can I store the salad? It is recommended to consume it immediately after preparation, but you can keep the dressing separate and assemble the salad before serving to maintain freshness.

Nutritional benefits: This salad is rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins, offering a balanced and healthy meal. Feta cheese is a good source of calcium, while lamb's lettuce provides fiber and antioxidants.

Enjoy your meal! We look forward to hearing about your culinary experience!