Layered Spring Salad Food

LAYERED SPRING SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large stockpot of salted water to a boil, and add asparagus. Cook until bright green and tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove asparagus from water, and transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Remove from ice water, drain, and set aside.
• Fill a large skillet with water, bring to a boil, and reduce to a gentle simmer. Carefully crack eggs, one at a time, into a small bowl, and then slide into simmering water. Poach eggs in simmering water. Using a skimmer, pull the whites over the yolks, until yolks are just set, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove eggs from the water with a skimmer, and transfer to a bowl of ice water to cool and stop cooking.
• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add shallots, and cook until translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Add morels, wine, chicken stock, and roasted garlic, if desired. Season to taste with salt. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from pan, and reserve.
• Place radicchio leaves in a large, shallow bowl. Arrange prosciutto on top in a decorative pattern.
• Whisk balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil together in a small bowl. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and sugar. Drizzle vinaigrette over prosciutto.
• Sprinkle cilantro over top, and cover with baby greens. Arrange asparagus in five bunches on greens in a spokelike pattern. Top with chervil.
• Whisk together rice-wine vinegar and canola oil in a small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle vinaigrette over asparagus.
• Remove poached eggs one by one, blotting them on a piece of bread (the bread acts as a natural sponge), and place each egg between two bunches of asparagus. Discard bread. Top with the morels. Garnish each egg with a sprig of parsley. Serve immediately.

SPRING LAYERED SALAD WITH ASPARAGUS AND BUTTERMILK DRESSING

Steps:

• Toss the onions with 2 tablespoons each vinegar and cold water and a large pinch of salt in a small bowl. Let sit for at least 30 minutes, tossing occasionally. (The onions will turn bright pink.) Strain.
• Meanwhile, set up a steamer in a pot of simmering water. Add the asparagus, and steam until bright green and crisp-tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove, spread out on a baking sheet and let cool.
• Whisk together the buttermilk, Parmesan, mayonnaise, garlic, the remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a small bowl.
• Using a straight-sided 3-quart tall glass bowl for 1 large salad or four 16-ounce wide-mouth glass jars with lids for 4 individual salads, make a first layer with half the arugula, then add the following in separate layers: the radishes, half the broccoli, the snap peas, the pickled red onion, the remaining arugula, the remaining broccoli, and the asparagus and egg. Sprinkle the top with the almonds. (The salad can be put together, covered and refrigerated for up to 2 hours before serving.)
• If making 1 salad, just before serving, transfer it to a large bowl, toss with about half the dressing and season with salt and pepper. If making 4 salads, add dressing to each jar, season with salt and pepper, cover with the lid and shake to coat. Serve the remaining dressing on the side.

LAYERED GARDEN SALAD

Steps:

• Coarsely shred lettuce, place in salad bowl. Sprinkle frozen peas over lettuce, add eggs (diced), finely sliced mushrooms and grated cheese.
• Combine mayonnaise, mustard, sour cream, lemon and spring onions or finely sliced shallots.
• Pour mayonnaise mix over lettuce and cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours or overnight.
• Before serving fry bacon until crisp, sprinkle on salad mix top with tomato wedges and parsley (fresh or dried) before serving.