Frisee Salad With Pears Blue Cheese And Port Vinaigrette Recipes

FRISEE SALAD WITH PEARS, BLUE CHEESE, AND PORT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Simmer the Port in a small saucepan until reduced to 2 tablespoons. Let cool, then whisk in the red wine vinegar, shallot, salt and pepper, to taste. Gradually whisk in the olive oil.
• In a large bowl, toss the frisee, radicchio, and pear. Divide the salad among 4 plates. Drizzle with the dressing; you probably won't use it all. Using the medium holes of a box grater, shave the blue cheese in a fine snow-like shower over the salads. Scatter the walnuts on top and serve immediately.

PORT AND BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• In a deep saucepan combine the wine, Port, sugar, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon, and lemon zest. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the sugar is melted. Simmer the pears for 10 to 20 minutes, or until they are fork tender. Remove the pears and boil the poaching liquid until it has reduced to a syrupy glaze. Stuff the pears with the cheese.
• Pour 3 tablespoons of glaze on each plate and tilt the plate to form an abstract design. Place one pear, stem end up, on each plate. Garnish with mint sprigs.
• Suggested drink: Port

FRISEE SALAD WITH SPICED WALNUTS, PEARS, FARMHOUSE CHEDDAR, AND PORT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Dressing: Simmer the port in a small saucepan until reduced to 2 tablespoons. Let cool, then whisk in the vinegar, shallot, and salt and pepper, to taste. Gradually whisk in the olive oil.
• Salad: In a large bowl, toss the frisee or mesclun, radicchio, and pear. Divide the salad among 4 plates. Drizzle with the dressing; you probably won't use it all. With a vegetable peeler, shave the cheese over top. Scatter the walnuts on top and serve immediately.
• In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet, heat about 1-inch of oil to 350 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add walnuts and blanch for 30 seconds. Drain and transfer nuts to a medium bowl. While nuts are still hot and slightly wet, add confectioners' sugar and toss to coat nuts. Stir and toss until all the sugar has melted into the nuts; if bits of un-melted sugar remain on the nuts, they will not fry properly.
• Stir the nuts again before frying. Using a large slotted spoon, transfer a few nuts to the hot oil, allowing the foam to subside before adding another spoonful. (Otherwise, the oil could foam over and burn you.) Fry in small batches until the nuts are medium brown, about 45 seconds; be careful not to overcook. Scatter on an unlined baking sheet to cool slightly.
• In a small bowl, stir together cayenne, cinnamon, a pinch of salt, and pepper, to taste.
• While the nuts are still warm, transfer them to a bowl and sprinkle evenly with about half of the spice mix. Toss well to distribute the spices and then taste a nut. Add more spice mix, to taste, and toss well after each addition. When cool, pack in an airtight jar. They will keep at room temperature for at least 2 weeks.

FRISEE SALAD WITH DIJON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a blender (or screw-top jar), combine vinegar and mustard. Season with salt and pepper, and blend well to combine. Add oil, and blend until combined and thickened.
• Place frisee and chives in a large serving bowl; toss with vinaigrette, and serve.

FRISEE SALAD WITH PEARS AND DRIED CHERRIES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mash chutney with the back of a spoon to break up any large pieces of fruit. Whisk in vinegar, mustard, curry powder, and oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add frisee, pears, and dried cherries. Toss to combine, and serve immediately.