I moved country.  It was about time – after all, I’d reached the 2.5 year limit, which is apparently the longest amount of time that I’m able to stay still for.  Not that I’d want to suggest I’ve been very adventurous with my move: I find myself but a 50 minute flight from London in the rainy, grey Hague – a place near and dear to my heart.

The good news is that I’m back working in war crimes, which I’m ecstatic about. The bad news is that I had to leave my photographer behind.  Bleurgh.  I mean, I’ll see him in 5 days so, you know, I’ll be fine.  In the meantime, though, I’m trying to figure out how to do food photography, so bear with me folks.

This is a salad I made up a little while ago and, crucially, one that I figured I could make in the sublet I’m renting just now.  (Side note: I can’t find the vegetable peeler.  Do you think some people just don’t have vegetable peelers?) The salad’s good on its own but I think it’s probably better as a side – with some tasty, blackened lamb or chicken.

Ingredients

big handful of fresh, washed spinach

1 carrot, grated

1 avocado

1/2 fennel bulb, sliced

10 mint leaves, torn

10 basil leaves, torn

20 blanched hazelnuts (approx)

Dressing

zest of 1/2 orange

juice 1/2 lemon

squeeze of honey

1 tbsp sesame oil

1/2 tsp black pepper

pinch salt

Method

Step 1: Get a big bowl and throw in a big handful of spinach.

Step 2:  Dice fennel bulb into hazelnut-sized pieces.  Add to the bowl.

Step 3: Halve avocados; scoop out flesh and add to the bowl.

Step 4: Peel carrots; grate or peel into ribbons.  I grated because…see above.  Add to the bowl, along with mint, basil and hazelnuts.

For the dressing

Step 1: Add all ingredients to a jar and give it a good shake.  Go easy on the honey — too sweet and it will taste store bought.  Tasty, but store bought.  Be generous with the pepper.  Spice is nice.

Step 2: Toss the dressing in on top of the salad and mix it all up so it gets a nice, zesty, sweet, nutty flavour all the way through.  Done.