A salad to tantalise your tastebuds, full of pure sweetness and delight. The Ingredients in this recipe work in absolute harmony both in texture, from the soft figs, creamy goats cheese and crunchy walnuts to the sweetness of the honey and slight sourness of the pomegranates.
Based on 4 servings, adjust as needed.
Place a heavy based frying pan onto the stove and turn the heat to medium. Allow the pan to heat up before adding caster sugar, mixed spice and a pinch of salt. Allow the sugar to gently melt. Do not stir the pan as this could encourage the sugar to crystallise. Instead, as the sugar starts to melt, swirl the pan around moving the granulated sugar into the liquid sugar.
Once all the sugar has melted and you have a golden caramel, add in the walnuts and turn off the heat. The caramel is VERY hot, so please be careful. Mix the walnuts in the spiced caramel, pour onto a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper. Leave to set.
Make the dressing by combining the runny honey, dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar with the oil, salt and pepper. The easier way to do this is in a small jar and shake well until the dressing has emulsified and thickened.
Preheat your grill. Cut the goats cheese in half (across the equator) and lay them cut side up onto another baking tray. Add the halved figs onto the same tray also cut side up. Drizzle with a little of the dressing before placing under the hot grill to cook for 3-4 minutes. The cheese should be melty and the figs softened and slightly caramelised.
Assemble the salad by filling your plates with the rocket which you should lightly dress with the dressing. Place the warmed goats cheese into the centre, followed by the figs. Break up the walnuts and scatter over. Drizzle with any remaining dressing and serve.