Barefoot Contessas Caesar Salad With Pancetta Recipes

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 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.
• *RAW EGG WARNING
• Food Network Kitchens suggest caution in consuming raw and lightly-cooked eggs due to the slight risk of Salmonella or other food-borne illness. To reduce this risk, we recommend you use only fresh, properly-refrigerated, clean, grade A or AA eggs with intact shells, and avoid contact between the yolks or whites and the shell.
• 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.

CAESAR SALAD WITH BLUE CHEESE AND BACON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Arrange the bacon in a single layer on a baking rack set on a sheet pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until browned. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels and, when cool enough to handle, cut in large pieces. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, place the eggs in a large saucepan and cover them with cold tap water. Bring the water to a boil, turn off the heat and allow them to sit for exactly 3 1/2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the eggs from the saucepan and immediately place them in a bowl of cold water for exactly 2 minutes. Peel the eggs and slice them in half lengthwise.
• Arrange the bread slices on a sheet pan and brush the tops with olive oil. Toast in the oven along with the bacon for 8 to 10 minutes, until golden brown. Cool for one minute, then rub each toast with the cut side of the garlic clove. Set aside.
• Place the lettuce leaves on a rectangular platter and arrange the bacon pieces over the lettuce. Place the blue cheese shards on top and then the halves of soft-boiled eggs. Drizzle with the dressing, sprinkle with salt and pepper and place the garlic toasts over the top. Serve at room temperature with extra dressing on the side.
• Place the egg yolk, mustard, garlic, anchovies (if using), lemon juice, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process until smooth. With the food processor running, slowly pour the olive oil through the feed tube and process until thick. Add the Parmesan and pulse 3 times to combine.
• "Make it Ahead" by Ina Garten © Clarkson Potter 2014. Provided courtesy of Ina Garten. All rights reserved.

KALE SALAD WITH PANCETTA AND PECORINO

Steps:

• For the dressing, place the anchovies, garlic, mustard, egg yolks, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Process for 30 seconds until smooth. With the processor running, slowly pour the olive oil through the feed tube, until the mixture emulsifies. Add the grated Pecorino and process just until combined. Transfer to a container and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Wash the kale and spin it dry in a salad spinner. Remove the rib from each leaf. Stack the leaves and slice them thinly crosswise, as you would coleslaw. Place the kale in a large bowl and toss with enough dressing to moisten.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium (10-inch) saute pan. Add the pancetta and cook over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes, tossing frequently, until browned and crisp. Transfer the pancetta with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towels. Add the bread cubes to the pan, sprinkle with salt, and saute for 5 to 7 minutes, tossing frequently, until evenly browned. Add the pancetta, toasted bread, and shaved Pecorino to the kale and toss with large spoons. Serve at room temperature.

BAREFOOT CONTESSA'S CAESAR CLUB SANDWICH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the chicken breasts on a sheet pan skin side up.
• Rub the chicken with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, until cooked through.
• Cool slightly, discard the skin and bones, and slice the meat thickly.
• Set aside.
• Meanwhile, place the pancetta on another sheet pan in a single layer.
• Roast for 10 to 15 minutes, until crisp.
• Set aside to drain on paper towels.
• Place the garlic and parsley in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and process until minced.
• Add the anchovy paste, 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 arugula on the bottom piece of bread and then layer in order: the sun-dried tomatoes, shaved Parmesan, crispy pancetta, and sliced chicken.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper and finish with another layer of arugula.
• Place the top slice of ciabatta on top and cut in thirds crosswise.
• Serve at room temperature.