Red Slaw With Warm Pancetta Balsamic Dressing Food

WARM SPINACH SALAD WITH PANCETTA DRESSING

Steps:

• Combine the spinach and red onions in a large bowl.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium saute pan over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering. Add the mushrooms and salt to taste, and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until they start to release their moisture and begin to shrink, 2 to 3 minutes. Now let the mushrooms cook undisturbed until their liquid evaporates and they have turned deep golden brown on one side, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir and continue cooking until nicely browned on both sides, 3 to 5 minutes more. With a slotted spoon, remove the mushrooms from the pan and toss with the spinach and onions.
• In a separate, heavy-bottomed saucepan, cook the pancetta over medium-low heat until dark and crispy, about 15 minutes. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and reserve.
• To the rendered fat in the pan, add the vinegar, honey and mustard. Bring to a boil and whisk to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste and then pour the warm dressing over the spinach, mushrooms and onions. Add the reserved pancetta and toss to distribute the heat and dressing.
• Serve in a salad bowl, garnished with pine nuts.

RED CABBAGE SALAD WITH WARM PANCETTA-BALSAMIC DRESSING

Steps:

• Place currants in small bowl. Heat vinegar in saucepan over medium heat until hot (do not boil). Pour vinegar over currants; let soak until currants soften, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Place cabbage in large bowl; set aside. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium- high heat. Add pancetta; sauté until brown and crisp, about 5 minutes. Add shallot to pancetta and drippings in skillet; sauté 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in currant- vinegar mixture and olive oil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• Pour pancetta mixture over cabbage and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let stand 5 to 10 minutes. Add almonds and parsley; toss to blend.

PANCETTA BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Special Equipment: 1 (6 to 8-ounce) decorative jar
• Warm the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly and pour into the decorative jar. Add the balsamic vinegar, rosemary, salt, pepper, and sugar. Put the lid on tightly and shake to combine. Add the extra-virgin olive oil, replace the lid again, and shake to combine.
• When ready to use shake well to combine.
• Cook's Notes: Can be sent as a gift with label and with name of recipe and date made and what to use it for dipping with bread (crostini), for steamed veggies, salad dressing, tossed with cooked pasta, steamed artichoke dip.

BALSAMIC-BRAISED RED CABBAGE

Steps:

• Brown 1/3 cup diced pancetta in olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat until crisp, 2 to 4 minutes. Add 1 pound sliced red cabbage, 1 sliced red onion, 1/2 teaspoon each fennel seeds and kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Add 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar and 1 tablespoon sugar. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring, until tender, 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and top with parsley.

DAZZLING WINTER SLAW - RED CABBAGE, APPLE AND PECAN SALAD

Steps:

• Make the dressing by mixing all the ingredients together in a jar - giving them all a good shake. The dressing can be made up to 2 days beforehand and stored in a cool place.
• Place all the prepared vegetables and the apple in a large mixing bowl and mix by hand.
• One hour before serving add the dressing and mix well, allowing the flavours to infuse together.
• Serve in an attractive serving bowl, sprinkling on the pecan nuts just before serving; give them a little mix, leaving some on top.
• This coleslaw can also be garnished with finely chopped parsley, for extra colour.