Artichoke Walnut And Mesclun Salad Food

ROASTED ARTICHOKE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the artichoke hearts in a bowl with 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss until the artichoke hearts are coated. Dump the artichoke hearts onto a sheet pan and spread out into 1 layer; roast in the oven for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette. Place the minced shallot, lemon juice, mustard, 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process for 5 seconds. Add the basil leaves and process into a green puree. With the processor running, slowly pour 1/2 cup olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube until the ingredients are finely pureed. Set aside.
• Place the roasted artichoke hearts in a bowl and toss with enough vinaigrette to moisten. Add the capers, red peppers, red onion, parsley, 4 tablespoons vinegar and red pepper flakes, if using, and toss gently. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper and let stand for 30 minutes for the flavors to blend. Serve at room temperature.

ARTICHOKE, WALNUT, AND MESCLUN SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Brush bread with 1 tablespoon oil and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. On a baking sheet toast cubes in middle of oven until golden, about 5 minutes, and cool.
• In a bowl whisk together vinegar, remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil, and salt and pepper to taste until emulsified. Add croutons, walnuts, artichokes, and mesclun and toss until combined.

RAW ARTICHOKE AND PARMIGIANO SALAD

Steps:

• Set up a bowl of acidulated water: break the vitamin C capsules into a large bowl of water and squeeze in the juice from 2 of the lemons. Toss in the 4 halves of the squeezed lemon as well. Artichokes will turn brown (oxidize) before your eyes so you must, must, must set up this bowl of acidulated water first!
• Working with 1 artichoke at a time, peel off the tough green outer leaves to reveal the spring green color underneath. Trim off the tough outer layer of the stem and any brown spots. Cut the tip of the choke off. Artichokes have a lot of waste, accept it and move on. Very carefully, using a mandoline, very thin shave the artichokes and put them immediately into the lemon water. The artichokes are best when done at least a couple of hours ahead because they tenderize a little.
• To assemble the salad:
• Put the artichokes in a salad spinner to remove they excess water. Put the artichokes, arugula and Parmigiano-Reggiano in a large serving bowl. Dress with the juice of the remaining lemon, finishing oil and salt, to taste. The salad should be well-dressed and full flavored but not soggy.
• Serve immediately.
• It's spring on a plate!

MESCLUN GREENS WITH TOASTED PECANS, SHAVED BRAISED ARTICHOKES, TOSSED IN A ROASTED SHALLOT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Toss the greens with the shallot vinaigrette ina large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Divide the greensequally onto 4 chilled salad plates. Sprinkle the pecans evenlyover each salad and thinly shave 1/2 of each artichoke over eachsalad using a Japanese mandoline.
• In a small skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Thinly slice the shallot and saute it in the pan until it begins to brown slightly. Remove the pan from the heat and place the cooked shallot in a blender. Add the white wine vinegar and puree the mixture. Slowly drizzle in the remaining olive oil in a steady stream while the blender is running. When all of the oil is incorporated, season with salt and pepper. Yield: 1 cup
• Start by preparing the braising liquid. Combine the flour, lemon juice, oil and salt in a medium saucepan. Add the water and whisk vigorously to combine. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-low heat and cover. To prepare the artichokes: take each artichoke and starting from the bottom, tear off the leaves until you come halfway up the artichoke, rubbing the exposed areas with the cut lemon as you go to prevent it from oxidizing. At this point turn the artichoke on its side and cut off the remaining top inch of leaves with a serrated knife. Cut the artichoke in half lengthwise and scrape out all of the fuzz that sits on top of the heart. Keep rubbing the artichoke with lemon as you work. Finally trim off any more tough leaves and green spots anywhere else on the artichoke. Drop them into the simmering braising liquid. Simmer covered for about 20 minutes or until a paring knife easily slides into the artichoke heart. Cool the heart in the cooking liquid and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

SALAD WITH ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, onion, and artichoke hearts.
• In a medium-size mixing bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, seasoned salt, pepper, and garlic.
• Pour enough dressing over salad to coat, and toss well. Sprinkle with grated cheese, and serve.

ARTICHOKE & LEMON SALAD

Steps:

• Three hours before serving, put the two whole lemons into a saucepan of water with the rock salt. Place a small lid or saucer on the lemons to keep them submerged and simmer for 10 minutes until they are soft when tested with the point of a knife. Tip the lemons into a sieve and cool under the cold tap.
• Dry roast the almonds in a small frying pan until golden brown, stirring frequently to make sure they don't burn, then set aside. In a large bowl, mix the thyme with the honey, vinegar and olive oil. Squeeze the juice from the remaining lemon and add to the honey mixture.
• Halve the boiled lemons, then trim away all the flesh and membranes with a sharp knife and discard.Remove all the bitter white pith from the inside of the skin. Finely chop the remaining thin pieces of lemon skin and toss them into the dressing with the artichokes. Taste, adding more fresh lemon juice if too salty. Pile into a serving dish, cover and keep at cool room temperature.
• To serve: arrange the cold meat on a platter. Toss the rocket into the salad with the roasted almonds (add the nuts at the last minute so they remain crunchy) and serve in a bowl.