Warm Squab Salad With Aged Goat Cheese White Chicory And Wild Mushroom Vinaigrette Recipes

WHITE CHICORY SALAD WITH APRICOT DRESSING AND GRILLED WHOLE WHEAT PITA CROUTONS

Steps:

• For the apricot dressing: In a bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, apricot puree, honey and some salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until thickened. Set aside.
• For the pita croutons: Heat a grill to high. Brush the pitas on one side with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill until golden brown on both sides, about 1 minute per side. Cut into thin triangles.
• For the chicory salad: Put the frisee, arugula, almonds, croutons, and about three-quarters of the fontina in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle some of the dressing around the side of the bowl and toss the greens to coat. Taste and add salt and pepper if desired. Top with remaining cheese, a drizzle of dressing, and the chives, and serve.

SALAD WITH WARM GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Slice the Montrachet into 12 (1/2-inch-thick) slices. (The easiest way to slice goat cheese is to use a length of dental floss.) Dip each slice into the beaten egg whites, then the bread crumbs, being sure the cheese is thoroughly coated. Place the slices on a rack and chill them for at least 15 minutes.
• For the dressing, place the vinegars, sugar, salt, pepper, and egg yolk in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and blend for 1 minute. With the motor running, slowly pour the olive oil through the feed tube until the vinaigrette is thickened. Season, to taste.
• Toss the salad greens with enough dressing to moisten, then divide them among 6 plates.
• Melt 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a saute pan over medium-high heat until just under smoking. Cook the goat cheese rounds quickly on both sides until browned on the outside but not melted inside. Top each salad with 2 warm rounds and serve.

SIXTEEN SPICE RUBBED SQUAB SALAD WITH AGED GOAT CHEESE, WHITE CHICORY AND WILD MUSHROOM "VINAIGRETTE"

Steps:

• Season breasts with salt on both sides. Dredge breasts in the rub, skin side down only, tapping off any excess. Heat oil in a large saute pan over high heat. Cook the squab, rub-side down, in the pan until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Turn over and cook for 2 to 3 minutes for medium doneness. Divide the white chicory among 4 plates. Slice the squab on the bias into 4 slices and arrange on top of the chicory. Sprinkle with the goat cheese. Ladle the Wild Mushroom Vinaigrette lightly over the greens and squab and around the plate. Garnish with chopped chives.
• Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Will keep stored in an airtight container for 6 months.
• Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large saute pan over high heat. Add the mushrooms, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown. Whisk together the vinegar, shallot and mustard in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil and whisk until emulsified, whisk in the truffle oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Fold in the mushrooms and set aside.