Little Ears With Potato Cream And Arugula Food

CREAMY ARUGULA AND LETTUCE SOUP WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Garnish: 2 1/2 ounces goat cheese, sliced
• In a medium pot warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until tender and starting to brown, about 4 minutes. Add the potatoes and the stock. Bring the stock to a simmer over high heat. Reduce the heat and continue to simmer, covered, until the potatoes are almost tender, about 20 minutes. Add the arugula and lettuce to the pot and continue simmering, uncovered until the greens are tender, another 2 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the potatoes and greens to a blender. Pour in enough of the stock to cover the vegetables. Add the cream, salt, and pepper.
• *Blend the ingredients together until smooth. Be careful to blend slowly at first with a kitchen towel held tight to the top of the blender lid. Blending hot ingredients can cause the lid to blow off. Pour the blended soup back into the pot with the remaining stock. Stir to combine. Cover and keep warm.
• Pour the soup into 4 serving bowls. Top each soup with 1/2-ounce sliced goat cheese. Serve immediately.
• * When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth.

GRATIN OF YUKON GOLD POTATOES, BACON AND ARUGULA

Steps:

• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 375°F. Butter 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels and drain.
• Mix cream and milk in 4-cup measuring cup. Layer 1/3 of potatoes in prepared dish; overlap slightly. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Top potatoes with half of arugula. Top with 1/3 of cheese and 1/3 of bacon. Pour 1 cup cream mixture over. Repeat layering. Top with remaining potatoes. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, remaining cheese and bacon. Pour remaining cream mixture over.
• Bake gratin uncovered until potatoes are tender and cream mixture thickens, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep refrigerated. Rewarm, covered with foil, in 375°F oven about 30 minutes.)

ARUGULA AND POTATO SOUP

Steps:

• Melt two tablespoons of the butter in a heavy saucepan over medium low heat. Add the onions, leeks, garlic and salt, tossing to coat. Cover and cook slowly, tossing occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 20 minutes.
• Add the potatoes, broth, ginger and nutmeg, stirring to combine. Raise the heat and bring the mixture to a boil, skimming off all the froth from the surface. Simmer, partly covered, until the potatoes are tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Remove half the solids with a slotted spoon and puree until smooth in a food processor or a blender. Return the puree to the soup and add the cream or milk. Bring to a boil, then thin the soup if desired with additional broth. (The soup can be prepared in advance to this point, then returned to a boil at serving time.)
• Scatter the chopped arugula over the surface and cover the pan. Cook until the arugula has wilted, about two minutes. Stir, add salt and pepper to taste, making sure to season the soup carefully. Swirl in the remaining tablespoon of butter and serve immediately.

LITTLE EARS WITH POTATO CREAM AND ARUGULA

Steps:

• 1 Peel the potatoes and place them in a small pot with salt to taste and cold water to cover. Bring the water to a simmer and cook the potatoes until tender when pierced with a sharp knife, about 20 minutes. Drain the potatoes, reserving the water. 2 Pour the oil into a medium saucepan. Add the garlic and cook over medium heat until the garlic is golden, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add the potatoes and mash well with a masher or fork, stirring in about a cup of the reserved water to make a thin "cream." Season with salt and pepper. 3 Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons of salt, then the pasta. Stir well. Cook over high heat, stirring frequently, until the pasta is al dente, tender yet firm to the bite. Add the arugula and stir once. Drain the pasta and arugula. 4 Return the pasta and arugula to the pot and add the potato sauce. Cook and stir over low heat, adding a little more of the potato water if needed. Serve immediately. From "1,000 Italian Recipes." Copyright 2004 by Michele Scicolone. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.