Spinach Salad with White Stilton with Apricots

White Stilton is a very different cheese from Blue Stilton. White Stilton has a mild, fresh taste and a crumbly texture. It's made in the same way as Blue Stilton, but the blue mould isn't added and the cheese is sold at 3 weeks rather than 9 weeks. It's a cheese that is commonly paired with fruit and White Stilton blends are now common with apricots, cranberries, or ginger.

I picked up a White Stilton with Apricots blend at Trader Joes and have been happily snacking on this very delicious, bright and fresh tasting cheese. It's sweet, but there's nothing clawing about the sweetness. It's awfully good on its own, but I wanted to make something with it and was stunned at the lack of White Stilton recipes out there. So, inspired by the blueberry-feta salad from earlier this week, I made a spinach salad with White Stilton with Apricots, avocado, and pistachios. The result was quite a triumph! My only problem was that my avocado was slightly too ripe - be sure to use one that is still firm. I experimented with vinegars and like balsamic with this best (over red and white wine vinegars). I also experimented with the nuts. I chose pistachios, but I think you could easily substitute either walnuts or almonds and have an excellent result.

Spinach Salad with White Stilton with Apricots (serves 2):
1-1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 +1/8 tsp balsamic vinegar
6 oz baby spinach
3 oz White Stilton with Apricots, crumbled
1/2 avocado, sliced
1/4 cup pistachios (I used roasted and salted) or walnuts or almonds

Whisk together the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. In a salad bowl, combine spinach, White Stilton, avocado and pistachios. Drizzle dressing over salad mixture and toss gently. Serve immediately.