Creamy Pancetta Dressing Food

CREAMY PANCETTA DRESSING AND ICEBERG LETTUCE

Steps:

• Heat a saucepan over medium-high heat.
• When the pan is hot, add the olive and heat.
• When the oil is hot, add pancetta and saute, and caramelize for about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Stir onion into mixture, toss and saute for another 10 minutes, until the onion begins to brown.
• Add garlic, thyme, and cider vinegar, and remove from heat.
• Allow mixture to cool for about a 1/2 an hour.
• Place cooled mixture into bowl, add mayonnaise and sour cream.
• Season with black pepper, to taste.
• Serve over iceberg wedges.

CREAMY DRESSINGS

Steps:

• For the Base: Whisk together the ingredients. Add one of the combinations below to change it up, then whisk in a little water, a tablespoon at a time, until you've reached your desired consistency. Transfer to a resealable jar or container and refrigerate up to 1 week.
• Ranch: Add 2 scallions, thinly sliced; 1 clove garlic, grated, pressed, or finely chopped; and lots of freshly ground black pepper to the base and whisk to combine.
• Caesar: Add 2 anchovy fillets, finely chopped; 1 clove garlic, grated; and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan to the base and whisk to combine.
• Cheese: Add 4 ounces crumbled feta, goat cheese, or mild blue cheese to the base and whisk to combine

WARM SPINACH SALAD WITH PANCETTA DRESSING

Steps:

• Combine the spinach and red onions in a large bowl.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering. Add the mushrooms and salt to taste, and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until they start to release their moisture and begin to shrink, 2 to 3 minutes. Now let the mushrooms cook undisturbed until their liquid evaporates and they have turned deep golden brown on one side, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir and continue cooking until nicely browned on both sides, 3 to 5 minutes more. With a slotted spoon, remove the mushrooms from the pan and toss with the spinach and onions.
• In a separate, heavy-bottomed saucepan, cook the pancetta over medium-low heat until dark and crispy, about 15 minutes. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and reserve.
• To the rendered fat in the pan, add the vinegar, honey and mustard. Bring to a boil and whisk to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste and then pour the warm dressing over the spinach, mushrooms and onions. Add the reserved pancetta and toss to distribute the heat and dressing.
• Serve in a salad bowl, garnished with pine nuts.

PASTA WITH ROASTED GARLIC, PANCETTA AND ARUGULA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Trim hairy root and green stem from green garlic, or trim 1/4-inch off top of regular garlic, making sure to expose all cloves.
• Place garlic in a small, shallow baking dish, root side down, and drizzle each with a little olive oil. Cover dish with foil. Roast until cloves or bulbs are golden brown, about 40 minutes to 1 hour (green garlic will cook faster than regular garlic). If bottom of dish starts to burn before garlic is roasted, add one tablespoon water. Transfer to a rack to cool. Garlic can be roasted up to one day ahead; wrap well and store in refrigerator.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
• While pasta cooks, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add pancetta and red pepper flakes. Sauté until pancetta is golden and crisp around edges, about 5 minutes.
• Peel outside layer of green garlic, or if using regular garlic, squeeze cloves from their papery skins. Chop roasted garlic, and add to skillet with lemon juice and a large pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté for 2 minutes.
• Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water. Add drained pasta and arugula to skillet, place over low heat, and toss until arugula wilts. Add just enough cooking water to scrape up brown bits in pan (do this 1 tablespoon at a time). Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve with Parmesan.

CREAMY PANCETTA PASTA WITH MUSHROOMS AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to the boil and cook the pappardelle according to the package directions.
• While the pasta is cooking, put a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the pancetta until it starts to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then add the cream. When the cream is hot, add the Parmesan and stir.
• Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet. Stir well and season with some pepper. I find it does not usually need salt because of the salty pancetta and Parmesan. Serve immediately. I like to serve it with an arugula salad.