Curly Endive Salad With Cranberry Bacon Vinaigrette And Blue Cheese Pastries Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Unfold pastry onto work service. Using 2-inch- diameter scalloped cookie cutter, cut out 12 rounds. Using 1-inch-diameter cookie cutter, cut out centers of 6 pastry rounds. Discard centers. Pierce 2-inch rounds all over with fork. Brush edges with egg glaze. Top with pastry rings, pressing gently. Transfer to large baking sheet. Bake until puffed and golden, about 10 minutes. Transfer to rack; cool. Pull out uncooked portion from centers of pastries and discard. (Can be made 8 hours ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.)
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Cook bacon in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels. Pour 3 tablespoons bacon drippings into small bowl. Discard all but 1 teaspoon of remaining drippings from skillet. Add shallots to drippings in skillet; sauté over medium-high heat until tender, about 3 minutes. Add Port and cranberries and bring to boil, scraping any browned bits. Boil until cranberries are soft and liquid is reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Add reserved 3 tablespoons bacon drippings and stir just until warm. Pour vinegar into small bowl. Gradually whisk in Port mixture.
• Meanwhile, place pastries on baking sheet. Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon cheese into center of each. Bake until cheese is soft, about 6 minutes.
• Place endive in large bowl. Pour warm dressing over and toss. Divide greens among 6 plates. Sprinkle with bacon. Top each with 1 pastry and serve.

Steps:

• Place bacon in a hot skillet over low heat. Cook completely to render fat. Remove lardons from skillet and reserve on paper towels. From the skillet remove 2 tablespoons of rendered fat to a bowl. Add shallots to fat. Stir in mustard and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk in oil until dressing is emulsified.
• Toss chicory pieces with bacon, vinaigrette and croutons.

Steps:

• In a large salad bowl, toss together both endives and the onion. Sprinkle with the vinegar, oil and salt and toss again. If a little more oil or vinegar is needed, do so in small increments and taste as you go. The salad should be well seasoned and dressed but not soggy.
• Voila!

Steps:

• Wash greens and cut into bite sized pieces.
• Bone anchovies if needed and mash together with the garlic with a mortar and pestle into a paste.
• Blend in the vinegar and let sit about 5 minutes.
• Toss the greens with the anchovy mixture.
• Add olive oil and salt and pepper.
• Serve immediately.

Steps:

• In a salad bowl, toss the endive, onion and olives. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the oil, vinegar, oregano, mint, salt and pepper; shake well. Drizzle over salad and toss to coat. Top with cheese.

Steps:

• Place bacon in a hot skillet over low heat. Cook completely to render fat. Remove lardons from skillet and reserve on paper towels. From the skillet remove 2 tablespoons of rendered fat to a bowl. Add shallots to fat. Stir in mustard and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk in oil until dressing is emulsified.
• Toss curly endive pieces with bacon, vinaigrette, and croutons.