Asparagus And Bread Soup With Pancetta Recipes

NONNA'S BREAD SOUP

Steps:

• In a Large Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot, heat oil over medium-low heat; fry the garlic until lightly golden--about 1 minute. Be careful not to let the garlic burn as this will cause a bitter taste. Add 4 cups of water, the bouillon, parsley, bread, tomatoes and mushrooms.
• Bring soup to a simmer and cook 5 minutes until the mushrooms are cooked through and the bread softens. While stirring the soup, pour the eggs into the hot soup to create ribbons of egg. (Alternatively, you can add unbeaten eggs to the soup whole and poach, about 3 minutes.)
• Season the soup to taste. Ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle with cheese.

PANCETTA TARRAGON ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Arrange pancetta on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until pancetta is crispy, about 20 minutes. Remove pancetta to a cutting board and chop. Pour the drippings on the baking sheet into a skillet; add olive oil to skillet.
• Heat drippings and olive oil in the skillet over medium heat; cook and stir shallots, asparagus, tarragon, and pancetta in the hot drippings-oil mixture; season with salt and pepper. Cover skillet and cook until asparagus is tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

ASPARAGUS AND PANCETTA SALAD

Steps:

• Place asparagus in a steamer over 1 inch of boiling water, and cover. Cook until tender but still firm, about 2 to 6 minutes. Drain, cool in a bowl of ice water, drain on paper towels, and place on a serving platter.
• In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil or medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook and stir until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the pancetta, and continue to cook and stir for 8 to 10 minutes, or until browned.
• Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice and Dijon into the garlic-pancetta mixture. Pour the sauce over the asparagus.

ASPARAGUS AND BREAD SOUP WITH PANCETTA

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, sweat the pancetta with the olive oil until crispy and fully rendered, 5 minutes. Remove the pancetta from the pan and set aside. Add the onions, shallots and garlic. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Once the aromatics are soft, about 5 minutes, add the stock, bread and tarragon. Bring the mixture to a boil and add the asparagus and spinach. Simmer until the asparagus is tender, about 15 minutes.
• Transfer the contents to a blender, and make sure you've added enough stock to achieve the desired consistency. Blend the soup and season with the lemon juice. Adjust the salt and pepper as necessary. If available, strain through a fine mesh strainer. This soup can be served hot or chilled.
• Serve with the crispy pancetta, chopped chives and a dollop of creme fraiche. If serving cold, additional chicken stock may be necessary to make sure the consistency is correct.

ASPARAGUS WRAPPED IN PANCETTA

Steps:

• First make the dressing. Mix the rind and juice of the lemon with the garlic, parsley and olive oil, seasoning with salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Take three asparagus spears and wrap them together tightly in one slice of Pancetta, ensuring that the whole asparagus is well covered in the Pancetta, particularly the tip. Complete this for the rest of the asparagus.
• Heat a large heavy non-stick frying pan with a tablespoon of olive oil and place the Pancetta wrapped asparagus in the pan to cook.
• It may be necessary to do this in batches depending on the size of your pan. Cook until the Pancetta is really crispy, turning as it cooks.
• On four plates arrange a bed of salad leaves and dress with the lemon and garlic dressing, gently tossing the leaves to coat.
• Slice each of the Pancetta wrapped asparagus in half with a diagonal slice and divide between the plates.