Warm Arugula Vichyssois Food

PLEASANT RIDGE RESERVE AND WARM ARUGULA SALAD

Steps:

• For the vinaigrette, reduce the cider in a sauté pan over medium heat until 2/3 cup remains. Cool. Place the vinegar, mustard, shallots, and chervil in a bowl. Mix well. Drizzle the oils in slowly. After the dressing has emulsified, add the cider. Season and reserve.
• For the crispy beets, fry the sliced beets until crisp. Drain on paper towels, and salt lightly.
• For the salad, combine the salad ingredients with half of the vinaigrette in a large metal mixing bowl. Place the bowl over a medium flame. Quickly toss the salad to wilt the greens slightly. Transfer to six plates. Top with the crispy beets. Drizzle the remaining vinaigrette around the salad.
• Recipe by Chef Todd Downs

ARUGULA VICHYSSOISE

Steps:

• In a small heavy saucepan cook the leek with salt and pepper to taste in 1 tablespoon of the oil over moderate heat, stirring, until it is softened, add the garlic, the potato, drained, and the broth, and simmer the mixture, covered, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the potato is very soft. Stir in the arugula, simmer the mixture, covered, for 1 minute, and in a blender purée it in batches for 2 minutes, or until it is completely smooth. Transfer the purée to a metal bowl set in a larger bowl of ice and cold water, stir in the half-and half, and chill the soup, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until it is cold.
• While the soup is chilling, in small heavy skillet cook the bread cubes in the remaining 1 tablespoon over moderate heat, stirring, until they are browned, transfer the croutons to paper towels, and season them with salt. Divide the soup between 2 bowls and top it with the croutons and the tomato.