Barefoot Contessa's Caesar Salad With Pancetta |
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Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 20 Minutes |
Ready In: 35 Minutes Servings: 8 |
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I saw Ina make this on her show entitled Picnic at the Pond . Don't leave out the anchovies; it's what makes the dressing wonderful! Ingredients:
3/4 lb pancetta, sliced 1/2-inch thick |
2 pints cherry tomatoes |
olive oil |
kosher salt |
fresh ground black pepper |
2 large head romaine lettuce |
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese |
1 extra-large egg yolk, at room temperature |
2 teaspoons dijon mustard |
2 large garlic cloves, chopped |
8 -10 anchovy fillets (optional) |
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (3 lemons) |
2 teaspoons kosher salt |
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper |
1 1/2 cups good mild olive oil |
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese |
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. 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.).
3. Remove to paper towels and drain.
4. Place the tomatoes on a baking sheet and coat with olive oil.
5. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
6. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until soft.
7. Wash the lettuce leaves carefully and spin-dry in a salad spinner.
8. Stack the leaves on a cutting board and cut them crosswise into 1 1/2-inch slices.
9. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
10. 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.
11. Process until smooth.
12. With the food processor running, slowly pour the olive oil through the feed tube (as though you were making mayonnaise), until thick.
13. Add the 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and pulse 3 times.
14. Toss the lettuce with enough dressing to moisten well.
15. Add 1 cup grated Parmesan and toss.
16. Divide the lettuce among 6 or 8 plates and sprinkle with the pancetta roasted tomatoes. Serve at room temperature.
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