Mixed Greens With Apricot Vinaigrette And Almonds Food

MEYER LEMON RICOTTA CREPES WITH CANDIED ALMONDS

Steps:

• For the candied almonds: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the almonds, sugar and a splash of water and stir to combine. Cook until the sugar has melted and the nuts begin to caramelize, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Spread the nuts out on the parchment and cool on a baking rack until the sugar hardens, about 15 minutes.
• For the ricotta: Stir together the ricotta, zest, sugar and cream in a bowl until light and fluffy.
• For the crepes: Whisk the eggs in a medium bowl until smooth. Add the milk, zest, butter and salt and whisk until combined. Add the flour and whisk until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day.
• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Heat a 6- to-8-inch nonstick pan over medium heat; spray with nonstick cooking spray or brush with clarified butter. Ladle in a scant 1/4 cup of the crepe batter; swirl the pan and cook until the bottom sets and turns light golden brown, 30 to 45 seconds. Flip and continue cooking until the bottom is light golden brown, another 20 seconds or so. Transfer to a plate. Repeat and stack, keeping the cooked crepes warm in the oven.
• Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the ricotta on each crepe, roll up the crepes and serve with a sprinkling of candied almonds.

COUNTRY HAM AND CHEDDAR PIE WITH WHOLE GRAIN MUSTARD AND GREENS WITH APRICOT VINAIGRETTE AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• For the pie: Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Line a half-sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
• Unfold or unroll one sheet of the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Gently roll with a rolling pin until each side is increased by about 1/2-inch. Place the pastry on the prepared baking sheet and brush the pastry from edge to edge with prepared egg wash. Combine the mustard, apricot jam and a generous amount of black pepper in a small bowl, and spread over the egg wash, leaving about an inch border between the mustard and the edge of pastry. Place the ham evenly over the mustard and then evenly spread the cheese over the ham.
• Roll out the second piece of puff pastry as the first, increasing the size by about 1/2-inch on each side. Gently place it on top of the ham and cheese and press the edges together with your fingers. Gently fold about 1/2-inch of the edges over, creating a thick crust. Press the edges with the tines of a fork. Dip the fork in flour if it sticks to the puff pastry during pressing. Lightly brush a layer of egg wash over the top and edges of the pie. Cut a few small slits into the top of the pie and bake until cooked through and golden brown, 30 minutes.
• For the greens: Whisk together the vinegar and jam in a small bowl, and season with salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in the oil until emulsified. Put the greens in large bowl, toss with the vinaigrette, divide among the plates and top with the almonds.

WARM ALMOND CRUSTED MANCHEGO CHEESE WITH HOT GARLIC VINAIGRETTE AND SLIVERED ALMONDS

Steps:

• Set up 3 bowls: 1 with flour seasoned with salt and pepper, 1 with egg and 1 tablespoon of water and seasoned with salt and pepper, and 1 with the bread crumbs and ground almonds.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Cut cheese into 2 equal pieces. Dredge the cheese first in the flour, then in the egg wash, and finally in the bread crumbs. Place the cheese in a small cazuela, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Bake in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes or until golden brown and the cheese is soft. Immediately drizzle with the Hot Garlic Vinaigrette and sprinkle with slivered almonds and parsley. Serve with warm crusty bread.
• Heat oil over low heat in small saute pan. Add garlic and cook until light golden brown. Remove from heat and whisk in the vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.

GRILLED CHICKEN SALAD WITH APRICOT GLAZE, HOMEMADE MUSTARD VINAIGRETTE AND GRAPE SALAD

Steps:

• For the vinaigrette: Whisk the vinegar, the mustards and salt and pepper, to taste, in a bowl. Slowly whisk in about the olive oil and until emulsified. Taste; whisk in a few more tablespoons olive oil, if desired.
• For the grape salad: Prepare the grill for direct grilling.
• Brush the chiles with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill until charred on all sides. Remove to a bowl, cover and let steam for 15 minutes. Remove the skins and coarsely chop. Transfer to a bowl and add the grapes, chardonnay vinegar and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the chicken: Whisk together the apricot jam and vinegar. Season with salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
• Brush the chicken on both sides with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill until the first side is golden brown, about 2 1/2 minutes. Turn, brush with the glaze and sprinkle on the thyme. Cook until just cooked through, another 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a serving platter.
• To serve, top with the grape salad, then the watercress and finally the almonds. Drizzle with the vinaigrette.

GREEN BEAN SALAD WITH APRICOT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Boil nectar in medium saucepan until reduced to scant * cup, about 5 minutes. Mix in vinegar and apricots. Let stand until apricots soften, about 15 minutes. Puree mixture in blender. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cool.
• Cook green beans in large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain. Cool in large bowl of ice water. Drain again. Pat beans dry with paper towels. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Wrap green beans in paper towels. Cover vinaigrette and green beans separately and refrigerate.)
• Place beans in large bowl. Add 6 tablespoons vinaigrette and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. In another large bowl, toss mixed greens with enough remaining vinaigrette to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Mound mixed greens in center of 6 plates. Surround with papaya slices. Arrange beans atop mixed greens. Sprinkle with pistachios and ricotta salata.

MIXED GREENS WITH APRICOT VINAIGRETTE AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Whisk together the vinegar and jam in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until emulsified.Put the greens in a large bowl, toss with the vinaigrette and top with the almonds.Source: foodnetwork.comRecipe formatted with the Cook'n Recipe Software from DVO Enterprises.

APRICOT ORANGE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid; shake well. Cover and refrigerate until serving.