Pleasant Ridge Reserve And Warm Arugula Salad Food

WARM ARUGULA VICHYSSOIS

Steps:

• Heat a medium Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the leeks and salt and cook, stirring often, until the leeks are very soft, about 5 minutes. Add the potatoes and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to let the flavors marry. Stir in the chicken broth and pepper flakes. Add the cheese rind and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium low to maintain a gentle simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in the arugula and cook until wilted, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and discard the cheese rind.
• Add the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil and the lemon juice. Using a handheld blender, puree until completely smooth. Ladle into bowls or cups and top evenly with the mascarpone.

PHONY SPUMONI

Steps:

• Combine 1 goat cheese log, the beet and horseradish in a food processor and puree until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and season with salt and pepper; cover and refrigerate.
• Wipe out the food processor and add the remaining goat cheese log, the herbs and garlic; puree until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and season with salt and pepper; cover and refrigerate.
• Wipe out the food processor again and add the cheddar, pimentos, cream cheese, mayonnaise, scallion and hot sauce; puree until smooth.
• Line a 1-quart bowl with plastic wrap, leaving an overhang. Spread the beet-cheese mixture in the bottom of the bowl; press gently with plastic wrap to smooth it into an even layer. Spread the herbed cheese mixture on top, then the pimento cheese mixture, pressing each layer with plastic wrap until smooth and even. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour. Uncover and invert onto a platter; discard the plastic wrap. Serve with crackers.

WARM SKATE SALAD

Steps:

• Bring the court bouillon to a boil in a flameproof roasting pan. Season the skate with salt and pepper. Add the skate to the roasting pan and poach until a knife will go easily into the crease between the skate ribs, about 1 minute.
• In a bowl, toss the mesclun with 3 tablespoons of the vinaigrette. Arrange in a tall mound in the center of 2 dinner plates.
• As soon as the skate is cooked, separate it into thin strips, cutting through the natural creases in the fish. Drape the strips over the salad in a circle, as if making a teepee.
• Drizzle the skate with the remaining 2 tablespoons of vinaigrette. Scatter the coriander and the tomato over all. Serve immediately. For the Court Bouillon: Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for 10 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve. Store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer up to 2 months. Yield: 6 cups For the vinaigrette: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the mustard, salt, pepper and vinegars. Whisking constantly, very slowly drizzle in the olive oil and then the corn oil. Store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up