Hearts Of Romaine Finger Salad Recipes

HEARTS OF ROMAINE SALAD WITH APPLE, RED ONION, AND CIDER VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Whisk first 8 ingredients in small bowl for dressing. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Refrigerate. Rewhisk before using.)
• Place sliced onion in medium bowl. Cover with cold water; let stand 30 minutes. Drain well. Place 1/3 cup dressing in another medium bowl. Add apples; toss to coat.
• Trim off tips of romaine halves, leaving 5-inch lengths. Cut each romaine half lengthwise into 3 wedges. Fan wedges on large platter. Top with red onion slices. Drizzle salad with dressing, then sprinkle with apples and pecans.

HEARTS OF ROMAINE SALAD

Steps:

• In a small non-reactive bowl whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients except for the oil.
• Slowly pour in the olive oil while whisking. Set dressing aside.
• Remove the root ends from each head of lettuce and cut the heads in half crosswise. Then cut the heads in three parts lengthwise.
• Arrange the slices neatly on a serving platter. Garnish with the Kalamata olives and spoon the vinaigrette over the salad.
• Sprinkle the myzithra cheese (if using) on top and serve. Add a sprinkle of cracked black pepper.
• Or cover and chill until ready to serve.

JULIA'S CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Preparing the salad components:
• You will probably need 2 large heads of romaine for 3 people - or use a commercially prepared package of "romaine hearts," if they appear fresh and fine. From a large head remove the outside leaves until you get down to the cone where the leaves are 4 to 7 inches in length - you'll want 6 to 8 of these leaves per serving. Separate the leaves and wash them carefully to keep them whole, roll them loosely in clean towels, and keep refrigerated until serving time. (Save the remains for other salads - fortunately, romaine keeps reasonably well under refrigeration.
• To flavor the croutons, crush the garlic clove with the flat of a chef's knife, sprinkle on 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and mince well. Pour about a tablespoon of olive oil on the garlic and mash again with the knife, rubbing and pressing to make a soft purée.
• Scrape the purée into the frying pan, add another tablespoon of oil, and warm over low-medium heat. Add the croutons and toss for a minute or two to infuse them with the garlic oil, then remove from the heat. (For a milder garlic flavor, you can strain the purée though a small sieve into a pan before adding the extra croutons. Discard the bits of garlic.)
• To coddle the egg, bring a small saucepan of water to a simmer. Pierce the large end of the egg with a pushpin to prevent cracking, then simmer for exactly 1 minute.
• Mixing and serving the Caesar:
• Dress the salad just before serving. Have ready all the dressing ingredients and a salad fork and spoon for tossing.
• Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the romaine leaves and toss to coat, lifting the leaves from the bottom and turning them towards you, so they tumble over like a wave. Sprinkle them with a generous pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper, toss once or twice, then add the lemon juice and several drops of the Worcestershire, and toss again. Taste for seasoning, and add more, if needed.
• Crack the egg and drop it right on the romaine leaves, then toss to break it up and coat the leaves. Sprinkle on the cheese, toss briefly, then add the croutons (and the garlicky bits in the pan, if you wish) and toss for the last time, just to mix them into the salad.
• Arrange 6 or more leaves in a single layer on individual plates, scatter the croutons all around, and serve.

HEARTS OF ROMAINE WITH CREAMY DRESSING

Steps:

• Remove the outer darker green leaves from: 2 heads of romaine lettuce.
• Cut off the stem end and separate the leaves. Wash them thoroughly and spin-dry in batches.
• To make the dressing, stir together in a large bowl: 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, Grated zest of 1 lemon, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, Salt, Fresh-ground black pepper.
• Taste, and adjust as needed. Whisk in: 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons heavy cream.
• Taste for salt and acid and adjust if needed. Gently toss the lettuce with the dressing, making sure each leaf is evenly coated.
• A couple of salt-packed anchovies, rinsed, filleted, and chopped, are a great addition to the dressing.
• Some or all of the following herbs are delicious chopped and scattered over the salad: basil, chervil, chives, and tarragon.
• This dressing is equally suitable for butter or Bibb lettuces and for frisée and radicchio.