Grilled Bitter Greens With Shaved Parmesan Food

HARICOTS VERTS WITH SHAVED PARMESAN

Steps:

• Place the haricots verts in a large microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on high for 5 to 7 minutes. Remove and drain, if necessary. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream and lemon juice. Pour over the haricots verts and toss to coat.
• Serve immediately with shaved parmesan and freshly ground pepper.

BITTER GREENS WITH POACHED EGG AND PROSCIUTTO BITS

Steps:

• To begin the dressing, placed minced tarragon in a bowl, and add Dijon mustard. Add a pinch of grey salt, sherry vinegar, and olive oil. Whisk mixture together thoroughly.
• In a large bowl, toss the greens with enough of the dressing to coat them lightly. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Set aside.
• For eggs, make sure that upon starting they are room temperature. Bring the water to a boil in a deep saucepan. Add the wine vinegar and salt. Adjust the heat so the water barely bubbles. One at a time, break the eggs into a custard cups or small bowl, then slide gently into the water. Allow eggs to cook for about 1 1/2 minutes, then, with a slotted spoon, gently lift and shape the whites around the yolks. Continue to cook until the whites are just set and the yolks are glazed but still liquid about 2 1/2 minutes longer. Transfer the poached eggs with a slotted spoon to a clean dish towel or paper towels to drain.
• Place poached eggs on top of coated greens in large bowl, add a pinch of salt, to taste, and top with about 3 tablespoons or more of the prosciutto bits.
• Note: Eggs poach best when the water is relatively deep, so use a deep saucepan. Adding vinegar to the water helps to set the whites.
• TIP: The best way to make these bits is with the shanks of prosciutto. Ask your local butcher to save those shanks, and grind them on the medium grind if you want to save some chopping, or dice it finely yourself. Shank should cost about half of sliced prosciutto, as the store probably has no use for it.
• Note: Whether you are chopping the prosciutto by hand or putting it through a meat grinder, you'll have an easier time if the prosciutto is partially frozen.
• Place prosciutto in heated pan. Drizzle bits with olive oil, and cook, stirring. The prosciutto will give off steam for about 5 minutes while it releases its moisture. When the hiss of steam turns to a sizzle, turn the heat down to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the prosciutto bits are crisp, about 30 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bits to several thicknesses of paper towel to drain. The bits will crisp even more as they cool. Use immediately or freeze the bits for up to 6 months and warm in a skillet as needed.

HEALTHY EGGPLANT AND KALE PARMESAN

Steps:

• Position 2 oven racks in the middle and upper third of the oven, and preheat to 425 degrees F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment.
• Cook the oil, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring, until the garlic just starts to turn golden, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the tomatoes; rinse the can with about 1 1/2 cups water, and add the tomato water to the skillet. Add the kale and basil, bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the almond flour and breadcrumbs in a medium bowl until evenly mixed. Whisk the egg whites and 3 tablespoons water in another medium bowl until frothy.
• Lay out the eggplant slices on a clean surface, and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Dip the eggplant slices in the egg whites, then press into the almond-breadcrumb mixture to coat. Place the eggplant pieces on the baking sheets. Bake until the eggplant is tender and the crust is golden brown, about 30 minutes. Rotate the baking sheets if the top one is browning too quickly.
• Turn the oven to broil. Spread a little of the sauce on the bottom of a broiler-safe 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Arrange half the eggplant in the dish in as close to an even layer as you can without overlapping too much. Spread half the remaining sauce on top, then 1/4 of the mozzarella. Top with the remaining eggplant, sauce and mozzarella and the Parmesan. Place the baking dish under the broiler until the cheese is melted and browned, about 1 minute. Serve immediately, while the cheese is still warm. Sprinkle the top with the parsley.

MIXED GREENS WITH SHAVED MANCHEGO AND WINE-LOVING VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• MIXED GREENS: Put the mesclun greens in a large bowl and drizzle with vinaigrette (recipe follows), mixing vinaigrette into the greens with your hand to lightly coat them to taste (you can always add more). Put dressed greens on serving plates and top with a few grinds of black pepper and a sprinkle of Fleur de Sel to taste, if using. Use a knife or cheese shaver to shave cheese into thin shards. Distribute cheese over each salad and serve.
• WINE-LOVING VINAIGRETTE: Combine mustard and vinegar in a mixing bowl and whisk to blend. Slowly add 2-3 tablespoons of the oil in a thin stream, whisking constantly until mixture thickens. Add remaining oil in a steady stream, continuing to whisk. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

BITTER GREENS WITH SAUTéED CORN & SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium. Cook 2 ounces chopped guanciale (salt-cured pork jowl), pancetta (Italian bacon), or bacon, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, about 4 minutes. Add 2 chopped shallots, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add 4 cups fresh corn kernels and cook 2 minutes. Let cool slightly, then stir in 3 tablespoons Sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Toss 1 bunch dandelion greens or arugula (about 8 cups) and warm dressing in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with 2 chopped Medjool dates, shaved Parmesan, and a pinch of chopped fresh chives.