Frisee Salad With Spiced Walnuts Pears Farmhouse Cheddar And Port Vinaigrette Food

SALAD OF FRISEE, RADICCHIO, PEARS, POMEGRANATE AND PERSIMMONS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan over high heat, reduce the wine until 1 to 2 tablespoons remain. Let cool.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, reduced wine, and olive oil and, season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Place the frisee, radicchio, persimmon slices, pear slices, and figs in a bowl.
• Add the vinaigrette and gently toss together. Place on individual salad plates. Garnish with pomegranate seeds and walnut halves and serve immediately.

SPINACH, PEAR, AND FRISEE SALAD WITH CURRIED CASHEWS

Steps:

• To make the vinaigrette, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, honey, sesame seeds, garlic, and salt and pepper, to taste, in a bowl. Gradually whisk in the oil. Set aside.
• To make the curried cashews, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• On a baking sheet, toast the cashews until golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the melted butter, rosemary, curry powder, brown sugar, salt, and cayenne in a bowl. Add the toasted cashews while they are still hot and toss with a rubber spatula so they are thoroughly coated with the spices and butter. Leave the oven on to cook the bacon.
• Put the bacon on a baking sheet, place it in the oven, and cook until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pan and cut the slices into 1-inch pieces. Keep the bacon warm.
• In a large bowl, combine the spinach, frisee, red onions, and sliced pears. Toss with enough vinaigrette to coat everything well.
• Divide the salad among 6 plates. Garnish each salad with pieces of warm bacon and spiced cashews. Set a grape cluster on the side of each salad.
• The bacon can be cooked ahead, stored in the refrigerator, and reheated. The cashews can be cooked early in the day and stored at room temperature. The vinaigrette can be stored refrigerated, tightly covered, for several days.

FRISEE SALAD WITH PEARS, BLUE CHEESE, AND PORT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Simmer the Port in a small saucepan until reduced to 2 tablespoons. Let cool, then whisk in the red wine vinegar, shallot, salt and pepper, to taste. Gradually whisk in the olive oil.
• In a large bowl, toss the frisee, radicchio, and pear. Divide the salad among 4 plates. Drizzle with the dressing; you probably won't use it all. Using the medium holes of a box grater, shave the blue cheese in a fine snow-like shower over the salads. Scatter the walnuts on top and serve immediately.

FRISEE SALAD WITH WARM VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Fill a large skillet with water, bring it to a boil, and add the vinegar and a large pinch of salt. Reduce the heat until the water is just barely bubbling. Crack each egg into a small bowl and carefully slide the egg into the water. Cook until the eggs are set, about 3 1/2 to 4 minutes. Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and dab the bottom with paper towels to dry them off; set aside and keep warm.
• Put the bacon and shallots into a cold skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil and cook over medium heat until the bacon is browned and crisp; be careful not to let it burn. Remove with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels, and set aside. Meanwhile, get a jar with a tight fitting lid. Add the mustard, remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil, red wine vinegar, and lemon juice. Shake well to combine the ingredients, add the chives, taste, and season with salt and pepper.
• Put the frisee into a large bowl and toss it with the dressing the cooked bacon and shallots. To serve, place a large mound of salad onto a plate and top with a poached egg. Garnish with some chives and a drizzle of olive oil.

PEAR & BLUE CHEESE WALNUT SALAD W/ PEAR VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Halve and core the pears. Slice thin, brush with lemon juice to prevent browning. This may be done up to 60 minutes ahead.
• To arrange the salads: line plates with salad greens.
• Fan pear slices atop each serving.
• Sprinkle with some blue cheese and candied nuts.
• Drizzle with dressing. Serve extra on the side.
• CANDIED WALNUTS / PECANS.
• Line a baking sheet with foil. Butter or spray with a nonstick oil.
• In a heavy skillet, over medium heat, combine: 1 C walnuts, 1/2 C sugar and 2 T butter.
• Cook until sugar starts to melt, DO NOT stir. Reduce heat to low and cook 'til sugar is golden brown. Stirring occasionally.
• Remove from heat and pour onto prepared baking sheet. Cool completely. Break into clusters.
• PEAR NECTAR VINAIGRETTE.
• In a screw top jar, combine:
• white wine vinegar, oil, pear nectar, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper.
• Cover and shake well.
• Store in refrigerator for up to one week.
• Shake before serving.
• Makes about 1°C.

FRISEE SALAD WITH DIJON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a blender (or screw-top jar), combine vinegar and mustard. Season with salt and pepper, and blend well to combine. Add oil, and blend until combined and thickened.
• Place frisee and chives in a large serving bowl; toss with vinaigrette, and serve.