Skillet Greens With Crispy Shallots And Cider Gastrique Recipes

GREEN BEANS WITH BACON AND SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Cook beans in large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Drain. Rinse under cold water. Drain well. Pat dry with paper towels. (Can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Wrap in paper towels; enclose in resealable plastic bag and refrigerate.)
• Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to paper towels and drain. Discard all but 3 tablespoons bacon fat in skillet. Add butter to skillet and melt over medium heat. Add shallots and sauté until tender and golden, about 4 minutes. Add beans and sauté until heated through, about 6 minutes. Add bacon to skillet and toss to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl and serve.

BITTER GREENS WITH SAUTéED CORN & SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium. Cook 2 ounces chopped guanciale (salt-cured pork jowl), pancetta (Italian bacon), or bacon, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, about 4 minutes. Add 2 chopped shallots, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add 4 cups fresh corn kernels and cook 2 minutes. Let cool slightly, then stir in 3 tablespoons Sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Toss 1 bunch dandelion greens or arugula (about 8 cups) and warm dressing in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with 2 chopped Medjool dates, shaved Parmesan, and a pinch of chopped fresh chives.

SKILLET GREENS WITH CRISPY SHALLOTS AND CIDER GASTRIQUE

Steps:

• Dissolve sugar in 1 tablespoon water in small saucepan over medium heat. Increase heat; boil without stirring until amber, brushing pan sides with wet pastry brush, about 5 minutes. Add vinegar and crushed pepper (mixture will bubble vigorously). Stir until caramel bits dissolve. Cool.
• Pour 2 cups oil into heavy medium saucepan. Attach deep-fry thermometer to side of pan and heat oil to 350°F. Working in batches, fry shallots until golden brown, stirring occasionally, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per batch. Using slotted spoon, transfer shallots to paper towels. Sprinkle with coarse salt.
• Heat drippings with 1 tablespoon peanut oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add half of greens and sprinkle with coarse salt and pepper; toss until wilted. Add remaining greens; toss to wilt, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook until greens are tender, adding water by 1/4 cupfuls if dry, about 45 minutes. Season with coarse salt and pepper.
• Rewarm gastrique. Transfer greens to large shallow bowl. Drizzle some gastrique over and sprinkle shallots over. Serve, passing remaining gastrique.

CRISPY SHALLOTS ( INA GARTEN BACK TO BASICS)

Steps:

• Heat the oil and butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat until it reaches 220° on a candy thermometer.
• Reduce the heat to low, add the shallots, and cook for 30 to 40 minutes, until they are a rich golden brown. The temperature should stay below 260 degrees. Stir the shallots occasionally to make sure they brown evenly.
• Remove them from the oil with a slotted spoon, drain well and spread out to cool on paper towels.
• Once they have dried and crisped, they can be stored at room temperature, covered, for several days.