A ploughman’s lunch is a traditional salad made with sliced meats, Cheddar cheese, coleslaw, or chutney. Popular in the United Kingdom as well as in Ireland, the salad is open to wide interpretation, but always includes a piece of cheese, sometimes a slice or two of an apple or pear, tomatoes, or cucumbers. In Kenmare, County Kerry, O’Donnábhain’s Pub serves its ploughman’s lunch with honey-baked ham and a ramekin filled with homemade tomato chutney.

3 ounces mixed salad greens
Whole-grain Mustard Vinaigrette
8 to 12 slices of honey baked ham, cut into triangles
8 to 12 slices of Cheddar cheese, cut into triangles
1 tomato, cut into wedges
1/2 red onion, grated
1 carrot, julienned
1 cucumber, sliced
8 to 10 black olives
Brown soda bread or French bread for serving

To compose the salads: Divide the mixed greens among 4 salad plates. Drizzle with the vinaigrette. Arrange 2 to 3 slices of meat and 2 to 3 slices of cheese over the greens and garnish with the tomato wedges, red onion, carrot, cucumber and olives. Spoon the chutney into a ramekin and serve it with the salad and slices of bread.

Serves 4

1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups cider vinegar
2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon crushed cardamom seeds
1 teaspoons ground ginger
½ teaspoon mustard seeds
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
1 ½ pounds plum tomatoes, quartered
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup golden raisins
Freshly ground pepper to taste

In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the sugar, vinegar, salt, cardamom, ginger, mustard seeds, and cloves. Slowly bring the mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Add the tomatoes, onions, garlic, olive oil, raisins and pepper. Reduce heat to simmer, and cook, uncovered, stirring frequently, for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, or until the mixture is thickened. (After a few minutes’ cooking time, the tomato skis will separate from the pulp. Remove the skins with a fork and discard.) Spoon the chutney into a clean jar or bowl, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.

Makes about 2 cups