When you have good quality, fresh ingredients to hand, a recipe never needs to be overly complicated. A simple toastie with a plain green salad is instantly elevated by the quality of ingredients used. To start with, real bread, fresh and thickly cut. A good-quality Irish cheese, and while we wait for Irish tomatoes to return into season, some flavoursome sun-dried tomatoes can be used in their place. Plus a drizzle of a nice extra virgin olive oil is all that is needed for this sandwich to taste delicious. Irish, organic lettuce benefits from the quality of soil it is grown in, and this shines through in its flavour. A simple dressing with the addition of some nuts for extra flavour and a little crunch serves perfectly alongside the toastie.

When preparing a green salad in advance after washing the lettuce leaves it’s important to fully dry them. The best way to do this is with a salad spinner. Then add the dried leaves to a large salad bowl and cover with a damp tea towel or kitchen paper, and refrigerate until ready to use. To avoid the salad becoming soggy, only add a small amount of the dressing and toss through the leaves just before serving.

Enjoy!

Nessa x

Cheese & Tomato Toastie with a Nutty Green Salad

Ingredients

For the toastie

2 thick slices sourdough bread
Extra virgin olive oil
30g strong cheddar cheese
20g sundried tomatoes, finely chopped

For the salad

Head of good quality lettuce

For the dressing

1tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2tbsp red wine vinegar
½ tsp Dijon mustard
Juice ½ lemon
25g pine nuts

Method

Wash the salad leaves and dry well using a salad spinner. If the leaves are large, tear into smaller pieces. Add the dried leaves to a large bowl and cover with a damp tea towel or kitchen paper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
In a small bowl, combine the dressing ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Drizzle one side of each slice of bread with a little olive oil. Take one slice, olive oil side down, and layer on the cheese and tomato, and top with the other slice of bread, olive oil side up.
Place the pan over a medium heat on a hob and add the toastie. Press down gently using a clean saucepan lid. Cook for about 4 minutes on each side. Once the toastie is golden and crisp, and the cheese has melted, take from the pan, and cut in half.
Enjoy straight away alongside the green salad, drizzled with the nutty dressing.

Here’s a round up of some really special recipes we think would be perfect to serve this Mother’s Day. Treat the mother figure in your life to a tasty day with some fresh, organic, home cooked food. We also sell these lovely hampers if you fancy getting a special gift sent. We deliver to every address in Ireland.

Happy Mother’s Day! Liz x

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Breakfast in Bed Ideas

Treat your mum to breakfast in bed. Why not add a bottle of Prosecco and some blood oranges to your order and make some simple but sophisticated blood orange mimosas? Chill both overnight then juice the oranges freshly in the morning and serve half a glass of Prosecco topped up with blood orange juice in champagne flutes with breakfast.

Fruity Oat and Chia Pots

These are perfect for breakfast in bed and can be mostly prepared the night before. Just assemble in the morning and top with freshly cut fruit.

Flat or Fluffy Pancakes

Not just for pancake day and the topping and filling options are endless.

Smoked Carrot and Scrambled Tofu

A special brunch with humble ingredients. Make the smoked carrot the day before.

Lunch

Light Lunch Inspo with Jay and Joy Vegan Cheeses

Vegan brie, blue or goats cheeses by our supplier Jay and Joy are absolutely incredible! They have to be tried to be believed. Have a look at my serving suggestions which are perfect for a light Mother’s Day lunch.