Prep time:

Cooking time: 5 minutes

Total time:

Serves: 2

mixed salad leaves

Parmesan cheese shavings (I use a vegetable peeler)

4 slices of smoked venison (I used Weald Smokery’s)

1 courgette, sliced at an angle

extra virgin olive oil

ready-made balsamic glaze, to serve

For the dressing (adjust to taste)

3tbsp good extra virgin olive oil

2tbsp balsamic vinegar

½tsp wholegrain mustard

1tsp honey

salt and pepper, to taste

A showstopper of a salad that looks stunning but can be thrown together instantly. The courgettes can be chargrilled the day before, or on the barbecue! The smoked venison from Weald Smokery is incredible. Deer are plentiful in the Weald, vast tracts of it were once royal hunting forest, so venison has been enjoyed here for centuries. The Smokery takes lean haunch cuts, cures them with their own blend of ingredients, then cold-smokes them over oak shavings for up to seven days. Dan, Head Smoker, says, “This long, painstaking process gently draws out moisture, giving the smoked venison a similar texture to Parma ham, and an intense yet delicate flavour and colour all of its own.”

  1. Heat a chargrill pan, brush with oil, and add the courgettes. The heat gives them a lovely stripe. It takes between 2-3 mins each side.
  2. Put the dressing ingredients into a jam jar and shake like crazy until you have a thickish consistency.
  3. Arrange the leaves on a plate. Scatter over the torn pieces of meat and the shavings of cheese. Drizzle over the dressing. Finally use your balsamic glaze to give some stripes.

Serve with Nine Oaks Blanc De Blanc 2022

Weald Smokery

Weald Smokery produces delicious smoked products with passion, pride and care. With dedication to their craft and maintaining traditional methods, they have become known as one of the best artisan food producers operating in the UK today, attaining the award of Best Artisan Producer by Gourmet Britain. They produce smoked products using traditional techniques, which ensures they retain their authentic taste and texture. wealdsmokery.co.uk

You may also like

Caramelised onion, bean & broccoli gratin with Alsop & Walker Smoked Mayfield Cheese

This is a wonderful side dish, or a delicious main course with a crisp green salad. The Alsop & Walker Smoked Mayfield, caramelised onions and soft beans are a match made in heaven. Make in advance and bake when ready...

Chicken, mushroom & leek soup with orzo

This is the such a bowl of incredible, deep flavour… the magical combination of beautiful mushrooms with leek and chicken. It’s full of protein and fibre, and yet feels so indulgent. You can use any mushrooms you choose – here...

Warm squash & mushroom salad with Alsop & Walker Ewe Eat Me Cheese and caramelised nuts 

What I love about this salad is both the beautiful flavour and the differing textures. I have used white oyster mushrooms from Basil’s Fungi Farm, but equally a brown chestnut would work well too.