Pear, goat-cheese & Macaroni Salad

Can you "pear" up with me?

"Cleanliness is next to godliness"
I don't remember how many times my mom used this line to convince us when we were kids to help out with the household chores. We did'nt had a big house but already dividing it among three lazy daughters was always such a head-ache for her. Most of the time its her blackmailing strategy that proved to be more efficient in making us participate: "dirty house means no afternoon snack". For voracious kids that we were missing our afternoon snack was totally out of the question. Unfortunately none of us inherited her passion (obsession??) for maintaining the house clean. When I was a kid I never understood that.

Things are quite different now. Having my own household to keep clean, I don't really have much choice despite that I still abhor cleaning :-). Hubby and I agreed to do major cleaning of our house once a month. We normally do a draw lot who cleans what part of the house. With my magic technique I always end up winning always the easy part :-) This weekend, different from our normal cleaning routine hubby and I were on our "happy and excited mood". Guess why? Simply because in two weeks time we will be leaving for our one month vacation. We are really excited because it's been two years now that we haven't travelled yet, specially due to my pregnancy last year. As we were cleaning, I just realised that's what I should have done long time ago as a kid: I should have thought of good stuffs that I like to make me enjoy cleaning.

Anyways, hubby told me since we will be leaving in two weeks time we will refrain from doing our groceries. He wanted me to finish off all the stocks of food we have in the kitchen. I do love cooking but improvising recipes based on available ingredients on the kitchen is not really my forte. As I was busy pondering on hubby's words to me and as I look on our fridge I just thought how tough these 2 weeks would be for me.

Pear,goat-cheese & macaroni salad, don't ask me why.

Pear, goat-cheese & Macaroni Salad

100 g of cooked macaroni
1 log of goat cheese
2 pears peeled and cubed
50 g of grapes
75 g of raw ham cubed

for the dressing home-made mayonnaise
1 egg yolk
1 tsp of Dijon mustard
half a cup of olive oil
juice of a demi lemon
salt , pepper

Start by whisking the yolk in a bowl then add the mustard, salt, pepper and lemon juice. Continue whisking vigorously as you add up the oil. In a separate bowl mix all the ingredients of the salad: macaroni, raw ham, grapes and pear. Add the sauce and toss lightly.

Peek a boo...

17 comments:

Manggy said...

Haha, you're funny, Dhanggit :) Believe me, you will feel better using everything up now and cleaning up than if you have to throw away a lot of food later!

All in all, a very unique salad! Necessity is the mother of invention, ika nga :) I will have mine without the ham, though ;)

Babette said...

That looks delish! :) You'll be gone for a month? Wow, that must be some vacation. Have fun and be safe.

Suzana Parreira said...

Sounds like a good use of available ingredients - plus I love pear and cheese together! I'm sure you'll have your 'revenge' with a lot of wonderful Filipino food.

test it comm said...

Cooking with what you have on hand for 2 weeks sounds like an interesting challenge. This salad sounds nice and tasty. The creamy goats cheese, the salty ham, the sweet pears and a tangy dressing...mmm...

Gloria Baker said...

This looks wonderful Dhanggit, Im in travel so I post you from the South of the house of my sister in law!!! they have internet! So I may mail today, I hope to return Friday to my home. xxxxGloria

Sidney said...

Bon voyage... happy trip. It seems a well deserved vacation.

Gabi said...

Hello,
Thanks for letting me tag you to for the meme. Please go to my post below for the rules.
You are the sweetest!

http://www.thefeastwithin.com/2008/02/16/ive-been-tagged-5-facts-meme/

Thanks again.
xoxo
Gabi

Anonymous said...

This is an inspired little salad.
I love the combination of flavors. I bet it's really good!

Anonymous said...

oh gosh, i feel like eating your pictures! :) they look so good!!! :)

Emily said...

Wait a second- you need a vacation from Provence??? I tell you what- you can go on vacation and I'll look after your house for you. ;0
For free.

So this salad has pears, goat cheese, and ham in it? That sounds good. I would ditch the macaroni though.

Chibog in Chief said...

Manggy,hahaha :-) i agree with you on no ham but i have no choice for they will be expiring soon :-)

Babette, my french hubby's life is not complete without his vacation :-)

Suzana, i think i will follow your advise i will see what filipino dish i could do..hmmm

Kevin, you bet it right..im already running out of ideas snif snif

Gloria, glad to hear you will be on vacation too :-)

Sidney, thanks

Gabi, i'll check it out fast

Zenchef, thanks yup my hubby loved it

Acey, thanks

Emiline, hahaha next time you'll be in provence give me a call :-) you are always welcome hehehe

Anonymous said...

I love pears and I will definitely try that recipe of yours!

Rosie said...

Oh dear Dhanggit this looks very delish. What great combos and textures yum!! :D

Rosie x

Swati said...

I love the different colours you have used ..makes the dish look exciting and delicious! Happy hols!!

Big Boys Oven said...

what a great combination, so refreshing, juicy, creamy and what more with home make mayonnaise!

Cakespy said...

Oh Geez, I want to "pear" up with this delicious sounding salad! Have so much fun on your trip!

tigerfish said...

Refreshing salad you have there!