Wilted Bitter Greens With Crispy Walnut Goat Cheese Food

WARM WILTED WINTER GREENS

Steps:

• Cook honey and balsamic together over medium-high heat in a large saute pan, about 5 minutes. Toast walnuts in a small skillet; set aside to cool.
• Pile greens on a platter. Stir mustard into balsamic-honey dressing, then whisk in about 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil; pour over greens. Season greens with salt and pepper and garnish with walnuts, pomegranate seeds, shavings of Parmesan, and shallot.

CHILLED ASPARAGUS SOUP WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Coat a large saucepan with olive oil. Add the onion, celery and garlic and bring to a medium heat. Season with salt and sweat until the vegetables are very soft and aromatic, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Remove the tips from the asparagus and reserve. Cut the stalks of the asparagus into 1-inch lengths and add them to the pot. Sweat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the potatoes and the stock. Taste for seasoning and add salt, if needed (it will). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
• On a separate burner, bring a small pot of well salted water to a boil over high heat. Have a small bowl of well salted ice water on standby. Cook the asparagus tips in the boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove them from the boiling water and plunge them immediately into the ice water. When the tips are cool, remove them from the water, pat dry and reserve.
• In a blender or with an immersion blender, puree the asparagus stock mixture. Strain through a mesh strainer, if desired. Taste and adjust the seasonings, if needed. Chill.
• Garnish with the reserved asparagus tips and crumbled goat cheese. Springtime delicious!

GRILLED BITTER GREENS WITH SHAVED PARMESAN

Steps:

• 1. Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Whisk together 1/4 cup of the olive oil, anchovies, and orange juice in a bowl to make the dressing. Set aside.
• 2. Toss the radicchio quarters in a bowl with the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil. Grill until lightly charred and beginning to wilt, turning occasionally, 7 to 10 minutes total. Meanwhile, brush or drizzle the bread with olive oil and toast alongside the radicchio.
• 3. Remove the radicchio and chop into bite-size pieces, discarding the core. Toss with the dressing and sprinkle with the parsley. Divide among 4 plates and shave the Parmesan over the top with a vegetable peeler. Serve with the grilled bread.

SIMPLY ELEGANT GREEN BEANS

Steps:

• Steam green beans in boiling water until crisp-tender (4-6 minutes).
• Drain and set aside.
• Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat, add walnuts, and toast in oil for about 3 minutes.
• Add green beans, salt and pepper.
• Sauté for about 3 more minutes.
• Add balsamic vinegar, toss with beans and walnuts to thoroughly coat.
• Remove from heat.
• Sprinkle with crumbled goat cheese, toss lightly and transfer to serving dish.

ROASTED BEETS WITH GOAT CHEESE AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
• Spread walnuts onto a baking sheet and toast in the preheated oven until the nuts turn golden brown and become fragrant, about 45 minutes. Watch the nuts carefully because they burn quickly. Set walnuts aside to cool to room temperature.
• Turn oven up to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Crinkle up a piece of aluminum foil and place it into an oven-safe dish (such as a pie dish) to act as a disposable rack. Place beet onto foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the beet just starts to turn tender, about 45 minutes. Wrap beet in aluminum foil and let cool to room temperature.
• Turn oven temperature up to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).
• Peel beet with a sharp paring knife; peel skin from beet. Cut beet in half and cut halves into thick half-moon-shaped slices.
• Drizzle walnut oil in a baking dish and brush oil over the bottom of the dish; arrange beet slices in the dish in a single layer. Crumble goat cheese into the empty spaces and over beets. Sprinkle with kosher salt and black pepper.
• Bake beet and cheese in oven until beet pieces are sizzling and the edges of the cheese are slightly browned, about 15 minutes. Cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
• Drizzle warm beet and cheese with vinegar and top with roasted walnuts, beet greens, and chives. Serve warm.