Best Tomato Salad With Pancetta Crisps Recipes

Caesar Salad with Pancetta image

Provided by Ina Garten

Time 35m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

3/4 pound pancetta, sliced 1/2-inch thick
2 pints cherry tomatoes
Good olive oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 large heads romaine lettuce
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1 extra-large egg yolk at room temperature*
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 large cloves garlic, chopped
8 to 10 anchovy fillets (optional)
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (3 lemons)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups good mild olive oil
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Cut the pancetta into 1/2-inch cubes and cook it in a skillet over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until browned and crisp. Remove to paper towels and drain.
Place the tomatoes on a baking sheet and coat with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until soft.
Wash the lettuce leaves carefully and spin-dry in a salad spinner. Stack the leaves on a cutting board and cut them crosswise into 1 1/2-inch slices. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
For the dressing, place the egg yolks, mustard, garlic, anchovies, lemon juice, salt, and pepper into the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process until smooth. With the food processor running, slowly pour the olive oil through the feed tube (as though you were making mayonnaise), until thick. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and pulse 3 times.
Toss the lettuce with enough dressing to moisten well. Add 1 cup grated Parmesan and toss. Divide the lettuce among 6 or 8 plates and sprinkle with the pancetta roasted tomatoes. Serve at room temperature.
All these ingredients can be made in advance. Be sure they're room temperature when you assemble the salad.
If you're nervous about raw egg yolks, substitue 2 tablespoons of real mayonnaise.
Pancetta is Italian bacon. You can find it in your Italian grocery or a specialty food store. Insist that it's vut 1/2-inch thick.

Tomato Salad with Cheese Crisps image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 thick slices Italian bread, cut into cubes
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 pounds mixed heirloom tomatoes, cut into chunks
1 bunch scallions, sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
3/4 cup grated gruyere cheese
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

Steps:

Peheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Toss the bread with 2 tablespoons olive oil on a baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. Bake until golden, about 8 minutes. Let cool slightly.
Whisk the mustard, lemon juice and vinegar in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the tomatoes, scallions and dill and season with salt and pepper. Add the bread
cubes and toss to coat. Set aside while you make the crisps.
Toss the cheese with the flour and pepper to taste in a bowl. Arrange the mixture in 4 mounds on the baking sheet and flatten slightly. Bake until golden, about 10 minutes. Cool slightly, then remove with a spatula to a rack and let cool. Serve with the tomato salad.