Burrata With Asparagus Brown Butter Guanciale And Almonds Food

BURRATA WITH ASPARAGUS, BROWN BUTTER, GUANCIALE, AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 325°F.
• Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and place them in the oven to toast for 12 to 15 minutes, until they are golden brown and fragrant, shaking the pan occasionally so the nuts brown evenly. Remove the almonds from the oven and set them aside to cool to room temperature. Drizzle the almonds with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, sprinkle them with sea salt, and toss to coat them with the seasonings. Slice the almonds in half lengthwise.
• After you put the almonds in the oven, lay the guanciale slices on a baking sheet and put it in the oven with the almonds until the guanciale is cooked through but not crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the guanciale from the oven, transfer it to paper towels to drain, and cut each piece of guanciale in half on the diagonal.
• Increase the oven temperature to 450°F.
• Snap off the asparagus stems at the natural break and discard the stems. Put the asparagus spears on a baking sheet. Drizzle them with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle them with the kosher salt. Spread the asparagus out in a single layer and roast them in the oven until they start to brown but are still al dente, about 10 minutes. Remove the asparagus from the oven and set aside to cool to room temperature.
• Place the butter in a medium saucepan (preferably stainless steel). Cook the butter over medium-high heat without stirring, but swirling the pan occasionally to brown the butter evenly, for 3 to 5 minutes, until the bubbles subside and the butter is dark brown with a nutty, toasty smell. (As you cook it, the butter will foam up and begin to brown, then the milk solids will drop to the bottom and the foam will subside. At this point the butter is done. Turn off the heat immediately, as the line between brown butter and burnt butter is a fine one.)
• To serve, lay five to seven asparagus spears side by side on each of four plates (preferably oval or rectangular), pulling the tips of some of the spears so they aren't lined up evenly. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the brown butter along the length of each serving of asparagus spears to coat them with the butter. Cut the burrata into four equal segments and lay one segment on top of each serving of asparagus. Use the back of the tablespoon to create a small crater in each segment of burrata and spoon 1 tablespoon of the brown butter into each crater. Drop 1 tablespoon of bread crumbs in clumps, avoiding the butter (clumping them keeps them from getting soggy), over each serving of burrata and asparagus. Sprinkle the almonds over and around the asparagus and burrata, and lay two pieces of guanciale overlapping each other on top of each serving.
• Suggested Wine Pairing
• Petite Arvine (Valle d'Aosta)

TOASTED ALMONDS WITH SEA SALT

Steps:

• To toast almonds, adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 325°F. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and toast for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they are fragrant and golden brown. Remove the almonds from the oven, drizzle them with the olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt, and toss to coat the almonds with the seasonings. Transfer the almonds to a pretty bowl, and serve.

CAMPANELLE PASTA WITH BURRATA CHEESE, SPINACH, LEMON, AND TOASTED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, melt butter with oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic; sauté until soft, about 2 minutes. Add lemon juice and lemon peel. Drain pasta; transfer to large bowl. Place spinach and almonds atop hot pasta. Pour hot lemon mixture over spinach. Toss until spinach is wilted, about 1 minute. Divide pasta among plates. Top with burrata cheese, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and serve.

ASPARAGUS FRITTATA WITH BURRATA AND HERB PESTO

Steps:

• Rinse asparagus, and pat dry. Cut into 1-inch pieces on the diagonal, or into julienne strips if preferred. Set aside.
• In blender or small food processor, purée olive oil, basil and parsley to make a thin pesto. Season with salt and pepper.
• Put a 10-inch cast-iron skillet or other nonstick omelet pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add butter and swirl to coat pan, then add asparagus. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring for about a minute without browning.
• Quickly pour in eggs and stir with a wooden spoon, as if making scrambled eggs. Tilt pan and lift mixture at the edges to allow any runny egg from the top to make its way to the bottom. After 3 or 4 minutes, the frittata should be mostly set. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
• Lay a lid over the skillet, and turn off the heat. Leave for a minute or so, until frittata is moist and just done. (Alternatively, place pan under a hot broiler for a minute or so.)
• Set whole burrata in the center of frittata. Drizzle with herb pesto. Pierce burrata with tip of a knife and spoon contents over frittata. Cut frittata into wedges and serve directly from pan, garnished with basil leaves.