Braised Peas With Pancetta And Onions Recipes

BRAISED PEAS WITH PANCETTA AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Place a little oil and a small knob of butter in a skillet over a medium heat. When the butter has melted add the pancetta and cook until it has started to brown. Turn the heat down low and add the sliced onion and garlic - stir well and let it cook it very slowly until it has softened and become golden. During the slow cooking the onion will almost break and release it's juices - it's at this stage that you add the shelled peas along with just enough water to barely cover them. Simmer until the peas are almost cooked, turn up the heat slightly to reduce the excess liquid. Season to taste and then serve at once.

BRAISED ONIONS WITH RED WINE, THYME, AND PANCETTA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees.
• Heat oil in medium oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Add pancetta (or bacon) cook until crisp, about 4 minutes. Add garlic; sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add celery and carrot; sauté to soften slightly, about 2 minutes.
• Increase heat to high. Add onions; sauté until spotty brown, being careful not to burn other ingredients, about 2 minutes.
• Add wine; cook to reduce slightly, about 30 seconds. Add herbs and stock; bring to simmer.
• Cover skillet and braise vegetables in oven 10 minutes. Uncover skillet and continue to braise vegetables until onions are soft but not mushy, about 10 minutes longer. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

BRAISED TUSCAN KALE WITH PANCETTA AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Cut out a round of parchment paper to fit just inside a 5- to 6-quart heavy ovenproof pot, then set round aside.
• Blanch kale in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water in 2 batches, 2 minutes per batch, transferring with tongs to a colander as blanched, then drain well.
• Warm oil in 5- to 6-quart pot over moderate heat, then add pancetta and cook, stirring frequently, until crisp, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer pancetta with a slotted spoon to a plate and reserve, discarding all but 1/4 cup of fat in pot (if necessary).
• Tie thyme, bay leaf, and parsley together with kitchen string to make a bouquet garni and add to pot along with onions and garlic. Cook over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until onions are golden brown, about 20 minutes. Return pancetta to pot then add butter and heat, stirring occasionally, until melted. Stir in kale and add enough stock to cover three fourths of kale. Increase heat to high and bring to a simmer. Cover kale directly with parchment round, then transfer pot to oven and braise, stirring once or twice, until kale is very tender, about 45 minutes.
• Transfer pot to stovetop and discard parchment, then boil mixture, stirring occasionally, until almost all of liquid is evaporated but kale is still moist, about 35 minutes. Discard bouquet garni and garlic and season kale with salt and pepper.

BRAISED LETTUCE WITH PEAS

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a large sauté pan with a lid. Fry the onion gently for about 5 mins, until softened. Meanwhile, pull any damaged or coarse outer leaves from the lettuces and trim the bases. Cut the lettuces in half lengthways, through the base.
• Place the lettuce cut-side up on top of the onions and cook for half a minute, then turn over and cook for another 30 secs. Pour over the stock and lightly season. Put the lid on the pan, reduce the heat to the minimum and cook for 10 mins.
• With a slotted spoon, lift the lettuces out and put into a sieve over a bowl. Raise the heat under the pan and boil the juices until reduced by half. Add the cream or crème fraîche and petits pois and boil for 1 min until heated through. Arrange lettuces in a serving dish and pour over the pea-and-cream sauce.