Barefoot Contessas Caesar Salad With Pancetta Recipes

CAESAR SALAD WITH PANCETTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Cut the pancetta into 1/2-inch cubes and cook it in a skillet over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until browned and crisp. Remove to paper towels and drain.
• Place the tomatoes on a baking sheet and coat with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until soft.
• Wash the lettuce leaves carefully and spin-dry in a salad spinner. Stack the leaves on a cutting board and cut them crosswise into 1 1/2-inch slices. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
• For the dressing, place the egg yolks, mustard, garlic, anchovies, lemon juice, salt, and pepper into the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process until smooth. With the food processor running, slowly pour the olive oil through the feed tube (as though you were making mayonnaise), until thick. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and pulse 3 times.
• Toss the lettuce with enough dressing to moisten well. Add 1 cup grated Parmesan and toss. Divide the lettuce among 6 or 8 plates and sprinkle with the pancetta roasted tomatoes. Serve at room temperature.
• All these ingredients can be made in advance. Be sure they're room temperature when you assemble the salad.
• If you're nervous about raw egg yolks, substitue 2 tablespoons of real mayonnaise.
• Pancetta is Italian bacon. You can find it in your Italian grocery or a specialty food store. Insist that it's vut 1/2-inch thick.

BAREFOOT CONTESSA'S CAESAR SALAD WITH PANCETTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Cut the pancetta into 1/2-inch cubes and cook it in a skillet over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until browned and crisp. (Pancetta is Italian bacon. You can find it in your Italian grocery or a specialty food store. Ask that it's cut 1/2-inch thick.).
• Remove to paper towels and drain.
• Place the tomatoes on a baking sheet and coat with olive oil.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until soft.
• Wash the lettuce leaves carefully and spin-dry in a salad spinner.
• Stack the leaves on a cutting board and cut them crosswise into 1 1/2-inch slices.
• Place them in a large mixing bowl.
• For the dressing, place the egg yolk (*if you're nervous about raw egg yolks, substitue 2 tablespoons of real mayonnaise), mustard, garlic, anchovies, lemon juice, salt, and pepper into the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade.
• Process until smooth.
• With the food processor running, slowly pour the olive oil through the feed tube (as though you were making mayonnaise), until thick.
• Add the 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and pulse 3 times.
• Toss the lettuce with enough dressing to moisten well.
• Add 1 cup grated Parmesan and toss.
• Divide the lettuce among 6 or 8 plates and sprinkle with the pancetta roasted tomatoes. Serve at room temperature.

CAESAR SALAD SANDWICH

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Place the pancetta on a baking sheet in a single layer.
• Roast for 10 to 15 minutes, until crisp.
• Place the garlic and parsley in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and process until minced.
• Add mustard, lemon juice, and mayonnaise and process again to make a smooth dressing.
• (Refrigerate the Caesar dressing if not using it immediately.).
• Slice the ciabatta in half horizontally and separate the top from the bottom.
• Toast the bread in the oven, cut side up, for 5 to 7 minutes; cool slightly.
• Spread the cut sides of each piece with the Caesar dressing.
• Place half the chopped romaine on the bottom piece of bread and then layer in order: the Parmesan, crispy pancetta, and sliced chicken.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper and finish with another layer of romaine.
• Place the top slice of ciabatta on top and cut into four pieces crosswise.
• Serve at room temperature.