Insalata Mista Recipes

VIA CAROTA'S INSALATA VERDE

Steps:

• Wash the greens: Fill a sink or large basin with tepid water. Remove any wilted or damaged leaves from the butter lettuce, romaine and endive. Trim each head at the root to release whole leaves. Leave butter-lettuce leaves whole, but halve large leaves of romaine and endive on the bias, then drop into water. Trim and discard any roots and long stems off watercress, and drop remaining leaves and tender stems into water. Trim and discard dark green outer leaves and tops from frisée until only light green and white parts remain. Trim at the root to release leaves, and drop into water. Swirl greens in water, then drain. Wash twice more in cool, then cold, water, then transfer to a salad spinner to dry. Gently wrap in clean dish towels, and set aside.
• Place the shallot in a fine-mesh strainer, and quickly rinse with cold water. Allow to drain, then place in a medium bowl, and add vinegar and warm water. Allow to sit for 2 minutes, then whisk in oil, mustards, honey (if using), thyme, garlic and a large pinch of salt. Taste, and adjust salt and vinegar as needed.
• To serve, gently pile a generous handful of greens into a serving bowl, then sprinkle with salt, pepper and a generous drizzle of dressing. Continue with another handful of salad and more seasoning and dressing, repeating until you have a glorious, gravity-defying mound of salad. Top with a final drizzle of dressing, and serve immediately.
• Wrap remaining greens in an airtight container or plastic bag and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Cover and refrigerate remaining dressing for up to 3 days.

INSALATA MISTA

Steps:

• Tear lettuce into bite-size pieces. In a large bowl toss lettuce with remaining ingredients. Toss salad with vinaigrette.
• In a small bowl whisk together vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper. In a slow stream add olive oil, whisking constantly.

MIXED SALAD (INSALATA MISTA)

Steps:

• Blend the basil, vinegar, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper in a blender. With the machine running, gradually blend in the oil.
• Place the arugula and radicchio in a wide shallow bowl. Using a vegetable peeler, shave the carrot over the salad. Shave the cucumber into a medium bowl. Pat the cucumber shavings with paper towels to absorb the excess moisture. Add the cucumbers to the salad.
• Do-Ahead Tip: The vinaigrette and salad can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate. Whisk the dressing to blend before using.
• Toss the salad with enough dressing to coat. Season the salad, to taste, with salt and pepper, and serve.

INSALATA MISTA

Steps:

• Using vegetable peeler and working over large bowl, cut carrot into long thin ribbons. Add lettuce, radicchio and fennel. Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over salad and toss to coat. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper.

INSALATA MISTA ITALIANA

Steps:

• Chianti Vinaigrette: In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat and reduce the Chianti to 1/4 of its volume.
• Pour into a mixing bowl; whisk in the vegetable stock and vinegar.
• Add sugar, garlic, shallots, parsley, salt, and pepper. Let steep for 30 minutes. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
• Salad: Divide and arrange the mezclun on two salad plates.
• Top with the remaining salad ingredients.
• Drizzle with the vinaigrette. Garnish with the fresh basil.
• Preparation time does not include roasting the bell pepper or preparing the vinaigrette.

INSALATA MISTA

Steps:

• Mix dressing ingredients in a jar, shaking to combine.
• Rough chop basil and oregano. Place salad ingredients in a bowl, except cheese.
• Toss with dressing, and top with cheese.