Spicy Fig And Artichoke Salad Food

ROASTED ARTICHOKE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the artichoke hearts in a bowl with 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss until the artichoke hearts are coated. Dump the artichoke hearts onto a sheet pan and spread out into 1 layer; roast in the oven for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette. Place the minced shallot, lemon juice, mustard, 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process for 5 seconds. Add the basil leaves and process into a green puree. With the processor running, slowly pour 1/2 cup olive oil into the bowl through the feed tube until the ingredients are finely pureed. Set aside.
• Place the roasted artichoke hearts in a bowl and toss with enough vinaigrette to moisten. Add the capers, red peppers, red onion, parsley, 4 tablespoons vinegar and red pepper flakes, if using, and toss gently. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper and let stand for 30 minutes for the flavors to blend. Serve at room temperature.

FIG AND ARTICHOKE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat 1 tsp oil in skillet over medium heat.
• Add onion and garlic, and saute for 2 minutes.
• Add pinch of salt and saute another minute.
• Stir in artichoke hearts and red pepper, and saute another 2 minutes or until heated through.
• Transfer to bowl.
• Heat remaining 1 Tbs. oil and chili powder in same skillet over medium heat, stirring to combine.
• Lay figs cut side down in oil, and cook 2 minutes. Transfer to plate.
• To make Dressing:.
• Whisk together oil, lime juice, and vinegars.
• Place watercress on salad plates. Top with artichoke mixture and drizzle with 2 Tbs. dressing.
• Add figs, sprinkle with pecans and green onions.

RAW ARTICHOKE SALAD

Steps:

• Remove dark tough exterior leaves from artichokes. Trim stem end and cut off top of each artichoke. Slice artichokes as thinly as possible and place in a small mixing bowl. Add lemon juice and garlic, if using. Season well with salt and pepper, add olive oil and toss to coat.
• Put arugula in a shallow bowl or on a platter. Spoon artichokes over greens. Garnish with a few shavings of Parmesan.

FRESH FIG AND FETA SALAD WITH TOASTED WALNUTS

Steps:

• Toasted Walnuts:.
• In a large, heavy frying pan, over a high heat, toast the walnuts for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove and set aside to cool.
• Vinaigrette:.
• Put the vinegar and a good pinch of salt and black pepper in a screw-top jar and shake until the salt has dissolved. Add the mustard and walnut oil, then shake again to emulsify - the emulsion will hold for ten minutes or so, but give it another jiggle just before you use it to dress the salad.
• Salad:.
• Wipe the fresh figs gently, and cut them in half. Arrange them on a large platter, OR on individual plates - allowing 4 to 5 fresh figs per person, depending on the size.
• Sprinkle 1 to 1 1/2 ozs of crumbled feta or goat's cheese per person, over the top of the fresh figs.
• Scatter the chopped,toasted walnuts over the fig salad.
• Just before serving, drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad, and garnish each plate with 1 - 2 fresh fig leaves if available.
• Serve with crusty bread and butter.
• Can also be served as a dessert/cheese course combined.

RADICCHIO, FRISéE, AND ARTICHOKE SALAD

Steps:

• Squeeze juice from 1 lemon half into a large bowl of cold water, then drop same half into water.
• Cut off stem of 1 artichoke and discard. Cut off top inch of artichoke with a serrated knife. Bend back outer leaves until they snap off close to base, then discard several more layers of leaves in same manner until you reach pale yellow leaves with pale green tips.
• Cut remaining leaves flush with top of artichoke bottom with a sharp knife, then pull out purple leaves and scoop out fuzzy choke with a melon-ball cutter. Rub cut surfaces with remaining lemon half. Trim remaining dark green fibrous parts from base and sides of artichoke with sharp knife, then rub cut surfaces with same lemon half and drop artichoke into the acidulated water. Repeat with remaining artichokes.
• Just before serving, slice artichokes paper-thin crosswise with slicer. Immediately toss with frisée and radicchio in a large bowl. Drizzle with oil and toss. Sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper and toss. Drizzle with vinegar (to taste) and toss again.