Watercress Asparagus And Pecorino Salad Recipes

ARTICHOKES, ASPARAGUS, AND WATERCRESS SALAD WITH CUMIN VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• To prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, combine the vinegar mustard, cumin, and sugar; season with salt and pepper. Whisk to blend. While whisking, slowly drizzle in the olive oil, mixing until the vinaigrette is emulsified. Set aside.
• To prepare the salad: Fill a medium bowl with 2 cups of ice cubes and cover with cold water. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the asparagus and blanch until tender but not mushy, about 3 minutes. Drain the asparagus in a colander and transfer to the ice water bath to stop the cooking. Drain again and place on a paper towel-lined plate to dry. Cut the asparagus stalks into thirds.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched asparagus, parsley, artichokes, tomatoes, and watercress. Whisk the vinaigrette to combine and pour over the salad. Toss to coat and serve.

SHAVED ARTICHOKE AND WILD WATERCRESS SALAD

Steps:

• To prepare the artichokes, first peel the fibrous outer covering from the stems, trimming only the very bottom and leaving as much stem intact as possible. (See step-by-step photos on pages 16 and 17.) Cut off the top of each artichoke with a very sharp chef's knife. Next, pull off all the tough outer leaves. Use kitchen shears to snip off the tops of the tender inner leaves. Quarter the artichoke and remove the choke from each quarter. Shave each quarter using a mandoline. Immediately put the slices in a bowl, squeeze 1/2 lemon over, and toss. This will keep the slices from turning brown. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the cress to the bowl. Drizzle the olive oil over the top and squeeze the other lemon half over the salad. Gently toss.
• Divide the salad among 4 plates, ensuring each portion contains the same amount of artichoke. Shave the cheese over the top of each and serve.

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.

ANNE BURRELL'S 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!

TURKEY-AND-WATERCRESS SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring 6 cups water to a boil. Add 2 teaspoons salt and farro; cook until tender, 18 to 20 minutes. Drain and let cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, whisk together mustard, cranberry sauce, and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk in oil. Toss farro with turkey, celery, celery leaves, and 1/3 cup dressing. Just before serving, fold in watercress and season with more salt and pepper. Serve, with remaining dressing on the side.

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.