Fennel And Serrano Ham Salad Food

SHAVED FENNEL, MUSHROOM AND PARMESAN SALAD

Steps:

• Use a fork to whisk the lemon juice and olive oil in a small bowl. Using a mandoline or sharp knife, slice the mushrooms very thin. Put them in a serving bowl and toss with about 2 teaspoons of the olive oil mixture.
• Chop enough of the fennel fronds to make about 2 tablespoons (reserve the rest for another use). Trim the tops and bottoms from the fennel bulbs and halve the bulbs; slice off most of the core (leaving on a bit helps keep the bulb intact). Using the mandoline, shave the fennel bulbs almost paper thin from the root to the top end right over the mushrooms. Add the fennel fronds and the lemon zest; season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
• Shave the Parmesan over the salad using a vegetable peeler. Drizzle the remaining olive oil mixture around the edge of the bowl and toss everything gently but well to combine.

FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• Slice two bulbs of fennel as thinly as you can (use a mandoline if you have one) and toss with red onion slices and some of the fennel fronds. Add kosher salt, lemon juice and extra-virgin olive oil to taste and toss.

WARM KALE SALAD WITH ALMONDS & SERRANO HAM

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Toss the shallots with 1 tsp oil on a large non-stick baking tray. Separate the rings a little as you turn them in the oil. Roast for 10 mins, stirring halfway, until starting to soften and turn golden here and there.
• In a large bowl, whisk the vinegar, oil, mustard, sugar and some seasoning together to make the dressing, then tip in the raisins and leave to soak. In a smaller roasting tin, toss the almonds, oil, paprika and a pinch of sea salt. Rub the kale all over with 1 tsp vegetable oil and some seasoning.
• Remove the shallot tray from the oven, mix in the kale (it's fine if it mounds a bit), then return the tray to the oven and put the almonds on the shelf below. Roast for 7 mins, giving the kale a turn halfway through, until crisp in some places, wilted in others.
• Ruffle the ham onto serving plates. Tip the kale, shallots and celery into the dressing bowl, make sure it coats the kale well, then mound on top of the ham and scatter with the almonds and the cheese, if using.

SERRANO HAM SALAD WITH ALMOND GARLIC SAUCE

Steps:

• Mince garlic and mash to a paste with salt using a heavy knife or a mortar and pestle. Transfer to a blender along with 1/2 cup almonds, water, oil, vinegar, hot sauce, and black pepper, then blend until dressing is very smooth, about 1 minute. Coarsely chop remaining 2 tablespoons almonds.
• Cut a lengthwise slit in peppers and discard any seeds, then cut peppers into 1/4-inch-wide strips.
• Divide romaine and peppers among 4 plates, then arrange ham on top. Drizzle each serving with some dressing and sprinkle with chopped almonds. Serve remaining dressing on the side.
• *Available at specialty foods shops, some supermarkets, and The Spanish Table (206-682-2827).

MOZZARELLA, MANGO & SERRANO HAM SALAD

Steps:

• To make the dressing, whisk the olive oil, sweet chilli sauce, chopped basil leaves and 1 tbsp of the lemon or lime juice together with a sprinkling of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Alternatively, if you prefer a smoother, green-coloured dressing, you can whizz the dressing ingredients in a small blender. Either way, taste and then add more lemon or lime juice or seasoning if you want.
• To prepare the salad, peel the mangoes and carefully slice off each fleshy side close to the stone. Slice the mango flesh lengthways into thin strips. Don't throw the stones away, the flesh still attached is the cook's perk. Separate the slices of ham and thinly slice the mozzarella.
• You can now set everything out on a serving platter, or on individual plates. Pile the rocket in the centre. Arrange a circle of mango and ham round the rocket, sort of weaving them in and out of each other. Finish with an outer ring of overlapping mozzarella slices, then drizzle with the dressing. Grind some extra black pepper on top if you like, and scatter everything with the basil leaves.

FENNEL BAKED WITH HAM AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Blanch the fennel blubs and drain them. Pour the oil into a baking dish that can be used both on top of the stove and in the oven. Add garlic, fennel and ham, cook over a medium heat until they just begin to turn golden.
• Add tomatoes, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat five minutes.
• Sprinkle on the bread crumbs and cheese. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the top is browned and bubbling.