Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Keith's Killer Salad

I don't have a photo for this delicious salad, but you can check out the recipe and photo at Food Network. Some changes Keith made to the recipe were 1) he served the salad family style instead of in individual bowls and 2) he served the parmesan cheese on the side to be sprinkled to each heart's content. Here's Michael Chiarello's delectable recipe:

Shaved Salad with Prosciutto Bits

For the vinaigrette:
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
Pinch gray salt
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese, optional

For the salad:
2 cups baby arugula
2 cups coarsely grated or thinly sliced fennel, about 2 small bulbs
Gray salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/2 cup Prosciutto Bits, recipe follows
2 cups coarsely grated green zucchini
2 cups coarsely grated or thinly sliced red cabbage
2 cups coarsely grated carrot

For the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar and salt. The salt crystals should dissolve. Whisk in the mustard, oregano, and black pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil to form a smooth emulsion. Crumble in the blue cheese, if using. Pour the vinaigrette into a serving bowl to be passed at the table with a spoon. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Set out 8 salad bowls, preferably clear glass so the guests can see the layers of vegetables. For each bowl, put down a layer of arugula and then a layer of fennel. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and sprinkle 1 tablespoon Parmesan and 1 tablespoon Prosciutto Bits over the fennel. Next, put down a layer of zucchini and a layer of red cabbage. Once again, season with salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle with Parmesan and Prosciutto Bits. Put down a layer of carrots over the top and finish with a small sprinkling of Parmesan and Prosciutto Bits.

Serve the salads at room temperature. Pass the vinaigrette at the table. Allow guests to dress their own salads and mix up the layers.

I can't wait to make this salad myself! bjh

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