Caesar Salad With Pancetta Recipes

CAESAR SALAD WITH SPICY PANCETTA AND CORNBREAD CROUTONS

Steps:

• For the cornbread: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a large bowl. Whisk in the buttermilk, milk and eggs. Whisk in the melted butter.
• Coat the sides and bottom of a 9-inch skillet with the remaining butter. Pour the batter into the skillet and bake until the center is firm and a cake tester or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool. Cut half of the cornbread into cubes. (Devour the other half with butter and jam.)
• For the dressing: Combine the mustard, garlic, a pinch salt and about 1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper in a food processor. Pulse to blend. With the machine running, pour the lemon juice and caper juice into the mix. Slowly pour in the olive oil and then the canola oil. Transfer the dressing to a bowl. Taste for seasoning. Too lemony? Add more oil. Too oily, add more lemon. Stir in the anchovies, anchovy oil and a few tablespoons grated Parmesan. Refrigerate. (See Cook's Note.)
• For the salad: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Spread the cornbread cubes on a baking sheet and bake until browned and toasty, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Add about three quarters of the dressing to a large bowl and toss the romaine with the dressing. Grate some Parmesan over the leaves. Use a tea strainer or sifter to sprinkle the pancetta with an even, light layer of the cayenne. Top with salad with the pancetta and warm cornbread croutons and serve immediately.

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.