Salad Of Spring Mesclun Blossoms And Wild Greens With Lovage Allium Dressing Food

WILD DANDELION GREENS WITH SHAVED FENNEL AND LEMON-HONEY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Whisk together the lemon zest and juice, vinegar and some salt and pepper in a small bowl until the salt dissolves. Whisk in the honey, then slowly whisk in the oil until emulsified.
• Combine the dandelion greens, fennel and onion in a large bowl. Drizzle some of the dressing around the sides of the bowl and then gently push and toss the greens to coat. Season with some salt and pepper and toss again gently. Serve immediately.

BANANA BLOSSOM SALAD

Steps:

• Peel off and discard the tough, old outer layers (called bracts) of the banana blossom. Use a Japanese mandolin with the thinnest setting and cut into fine julienne strips; immediately plunge into large bowl of cold water and the white vinegar. When ready to prepare the salad, remove the julienne strips and shake off the tiny white buds (chopped up baby buds). Rinse and drain. Squeeze dry of the excess water. Place 4 cups well-packed strips into a bowl. Add the White Vinaigrette and toss for a few seconds. Pour off the excess liquid.
• In a separate bowl, toss the shredded chicken with salt, pepper, and lime juice. Add the grapefruit, rau rum, and chili fish sauce and mix together thoroughly.
• To serve, mound the salad equally onto 4 separate plates. Top each salad with 1 tablespoon crispy shallot flakes and 1 tablespoon chopped peanuts. Serve immediately.
• Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Set aside.

MESCLUN SALAD

Steps:

• In a small saute pan add 2 tablespoons whole butter, dash of cayenne, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the 1/2 cup of pecans. Cook this slowly over a very low flame, taking care to stir carefully and occasionally. The sugar will burn easily if the flame is too hot. On a stable cutting board, julienne the red pepper and then peel and section the 2 oranges. Squeeze the remaining orange pulp over a large bowl and to this add the 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Toss the salad greens in this and then place on a salad plate. Arrange the oranges and red bell pepper slices on the top and garnish with the caramelized pecan halves. Allow the pecans to cool before eating.

MESCLUN WITH PROSCIUTTO GRISSINI

Steps:

• Wrap each grissini in a piece of prosciutto, on a slight diagonal to cover as much of the breadstick as possible. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, mix the shallot, mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper together. Gradually whisk in the oil in a slow stream. Place the mesclun greens and fennel in a large bowl and toss evenly with the dressing. Distribute among 4 serving plates and sprinkle with pine nuts.
• Take 2 prepared grissini and place them on top of each salad forming an "x". Serve immediately.
• Cook's Note: Grissini are pencil-thin breadsticks that can found at specialty and Italian food markets.

MESCLUN WITH CREAMY LEMON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Combine the baby greens in a salad bowl. In a mini food processor, pulse together the shallot, mustard, vinegar, lemon juice, zest and cayenne. Add the olive oil and pulse again to combine. Add the sour cream and blend for 30 seconds until creamy. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over the greens and toss to coat and serve.

MESCLUN SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk together lemon juice, mustard, sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl until salt and sugar are dissolved, then add oil in a slow stream, whisking until emulsified.
• Add greens to dressing and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

MESCLUN SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk together oil and vinegar; season to taste. Toss greens with dressing and serve.