Ploughman's Delight

Ingredients

• 4 slices of crusty bread 4 slices of crusty bread
• 200g (7oz) cheddar cheese, sliced 200g (7oz) cheddar cheese, sliced
• 200g (7oz) cold meats (such as ham or roast beef), sliced 200g (7oz) cold meats (such as ham or roast beef), sliced
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 4 pickles, sliced 4 pickles, sliced
• 2 tomatoes, sliced 2 tomatoes, sliced
• 1 apple, sliced 1 apple, sliced
• Mixed salad greens Mixed salad greens
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 28g, 12g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 10g
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a frying pan, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook until caramelized, stirring occasionally.
3. 3.
   In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
4. 4.
   Place the slices of bread on a baking sheet and toast in the preheated oven for 5 minutes, or until golden brown.
5. 5.
   Arrange the cheese, cold meats, pickles, tomatoes, apple slices, caramelized onions, and salad greens on a serving platter.
6. 6.
   Drizzle the dressing over the salad greens.
7. 7.
   Serve the Ploughman's Delight with the toasted bread on the side.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cheese — Opt for a mature cheddar cheese for a stronger flavor.
• Pickles — Use a variety of pickles such as Branston pickle, pickled onions, or gherkins for a diverse taste.
• Cold meats — Choose high-quality, thinly sliced cold meats like ham or roast beef for the best results.
• Bread — Use a rustic, crusty bread like a baguette or a sourdough loaf for added texture and flavor.
• Dressing — Adjust the amount of mustard according to your preference for spiciness.

Tips & Tricks

• For a vegetarian version, replace the cold meats with vegetarian deli slices or grilled tofu.
• Add a dollop of chutney or relish for an extra burst of flavor.
• Experiment with different types of cheese, such as Stilton or Red Leicester, to create unique flavor combinations.
• Serve the Ploughman's Delight with a side of homemade coleslaw for a refreshing crunch.
• If you prefer warm cheese, melt it slightly under the broiler before assembling the dish.

Serving advice

Serve the Ploughman's Delight as a main course for a satisfying lunch or as a part of a buffet-style spread. Accompany it with a side of mixed greens or a hearty soup for a complete meal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the ingredients on a large wooden platter, placing the cheese and cold meats in the center and surrounding them with the pickles, tomatoes, apple slices, caramelized onions, and salad greens. Drizzle the dressing over the salad greens for an attractive presentation.