Salmon Rillettes and Pear Relish

Serves 6 as a shared meal

 

Ingredients
Pear relish
2 Packham pears peeled and sliced
50ml olive oil
1 small red onion fnely chopped
2 cloves garlic
60ml cider vinegar
70g sugar
½ tsp cumin seeds toasted and ground
½ tsp mustard seeds crushed
2 bay leaves

Rillettes
400g salmon
100g smoked salmon
100g butter

1 tsp fennel seeds toasted and ground
1 bunch of dill
1 preserved lemon fnely chopped
20g capers fnely chopped
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
50ml crème fraiche
Salt and pepper

Salad

 3 endives
Olive oil
1 lemon juiced
12 nasturtium leaves to serve

Method
For the pear relish
In a heavy based pot, sauté the red onion until slightly caramelised then add spices, sugar, vinegar and bay leaves. Cook until the excess liquid has reduced away, add pear and cook for further 10 minutes.
Cool and set aside.

For the rillettes

Steam the salmon for about six minutes or until just cooked. Place in a bowl with the smoked salmon and gently flake together.
Add chopped dill, preserved lemon, capers, spices, butter and crème fraiche and gently mix together to combine. Season with salt and
pepper and place in the fridge to set.

For the endive salad
Cut endives in half lengthways and gently colour them in a hot pan or a chargrill until cooked through. Season with salt, olive oil and lemon juice and set aside.

To serve
On a serving plate, place a large quenelle of salmon mix on the plate followed by a spoonful of pear relish, charred endive and garnish with nasturtium leaves. Serve immediately.

Pear-fect Solution for Kicking Winter to the Curb

Eating a pear a day could be a delicious secret to winding back the winter kilo creep and hitting the ground running this spring.

A CSIRO review of scientific research highlights pears as a standout for digestive health and fibre1, both essential to feeling light, energetic and at our best, according to dietitian, Rebecca Gawthorne.

Ms Gawthorne says it is the unique combination of nutrients in pears that promotes regularity and a healthy digestive system.

'The mix of fibre and naturally-occurring sugars in pears - sorbitol and fructose – helps to keep your digestive system healthy and prevent constipation," said Ms Gawthorne.

'It's such a powerful combination, that eating pears can provide a natural alternative to taking medication for the relief of constipation.

'But it's about much more than poo! A healthy digestive system and gut helps you feel great and boosts your energy levels – perfect for that extra little kick as you get back into exercise in spring. It also helps your body absorb nutrients from food and builds your immunity."

A pear's high fibre content (4.1g of fibre in one medium pear1) also makes it one of the highest fibre fruits available and a good snack option if you are looking to lose weight.

'Pears are an easy fibre fix, providing both soluble and insoluble fibre. As well as being great for digestive and gut health, the fibre hit helps to keep you feeling full for longer and that may be helpful if you are trying to stop or wind back winter weight gain," Ms Gawthorne said.

'I love adding pears to a smoothie for a post-workout snack, using them to top my morning oats or slicing them into my lunchtime salads. They are such a versatile fruit; it really is easy to make them a regular part of your diet. Pears are low GI, low allergenic, rich in protective plant compounds and contain potassium, magnesium and vitamin C.

'Just remember to eat them skin and all to gain all the goodness, as a lot of the antioxidants and phytochemicals are contained near or in the skin," she said.

Australian pears are grown around the country and are available from early autumn until late spring. There are eight varieties grown in Australia each with a unique flavour and cooking qualities.

For more information on Australian pears and recipe ideas check out: http://rediscoverthepear.com.au