Watercress Asparagus And Pecorino Salad Recipes

ASPARAGUS, PECORINO AND RED ONION SALAD

Steps:

• Cut the asparagus, including the tips into very thin slices, crosswise and place in a medium bowl. Add the red onion and pecorino and toss to combine. Dress with the vinegar, olive oil and salt and toss again. This salad should be fairly heavily dressed. The vinegar will sort of "cook" or tenderize the asparagus.
• It is best to do this about an hour or so in advance to let the flavors "marry".
• Semplice!

SIMPLE WATERCRESS SALAD

Steps:

• Combine vinegar, salt, and pepper in a salad bowl. Slowly whisk in oil. Add watercress and toss with vinaigrette to evenly coat. Serve immediately.

SPRING SALAD WITH WATERCRESS DRESSING

Steps:

• Cook the potatoes in boiling salted water for 10-15 minutes until tender. Drain and halve when cool enough to handle; set aside. Blanch the shelled broad beans and the asparagus in boiling salted water for 2-3 minutes. Drain in a sieve and cool under running cold water. Drain again, fish out the asparagus, then peel off the hard outer skins from the beans - make a nick in the tops and pop the beans out. Blanch the shelled peas in a separate pan for 1 minute. Toss the asparagus, beans, peas, potatoes and prosciutto together.
• For the dressing, put all the ingredients in a blender or food processor and blitz until really smooth and bright green. Season with salt and pepper. To serve, toss the salad leaves with a spoonful or two of dressing and arrange on plates. Pile the vegetable mixture on top, season, then drizzle over the remaining dressing and scatter with the pecorino.

STEAMED ASPARAGUS WITH HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• Wash the asparagus carefully and gently scrape them to remove all trace of soil. Tie together, according to size, with string. Put the asparagus into two inches of boiling, salted water. Cook, covered, for 15 to 20 minutes, according to size; the asparagus should remain al dente. Drain and put into cold water briefly to cool rapidly and to maintain color. Drain on paper towels, then place on a round platter, tips toward the center.
• Prepare a sauce with the remaining ingredients. Place all the herbs except for the additional watercress in a blender, add the salt and pepper, and blend for a second. Add the lemon juice and then the oil in a trickle to the blender on low speed. Pour the sauce over the cooled asparagus. Garnish with the reserved watercress. Serve at room temperature.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS & PEA SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Mix the yogurt, mustard and honey together. Add the lemon zest, then add the juice and some seasoning to taste. Squeeze any remaining lemon juice over the watercress.
• Tear the bread into rough chunks and put them on a large roasting tray with the asparagus. Toss both in the rapeseed oil and seasoning, and roast for 10 mins until the asparagus is tender and croutons are golden.
• Meanwhile, cook the eggs in a pan of boiling water for 6 mins, then add the frozen peas and cook for 1 min more. Drain and rinse both under cold water until cool. Peel the eggs, then cut into quarters.
• To assemble, mix the asparagus and peas through the watercress, then toss through the creamy dressing. Nestle in the eggs and croutons, and serve.

WATERCRESS, ASPARAGUS AND PECORINO SALAD

Steps:

• Place the raisins in a dish, barely cover with warm water, add the lemon juice and set aside for 15 minutes.
• Snap the ends off the asparagus, then cut the spears on the bias in one-inch lengths. Place them in a steamer or a sieve and steam over boiling water about two minutes, just until they turn bright green. Rinse under cold water, drain them well and set aside.
• Pick the leaves off the stems of the watercress and then discard the stems.
• Arrange the watercress leaves on each of four plates. Scatter the steamed asparagus over the watercress. Drain the raisins and scatter them on, then drizzle with the olive oil. Top each serving with shavings of cheese, season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.