Autumn Greens With Cider Vinaigrette Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Peel the squash: First cut into two cross sections, scrape out the seeds, and place the squash, flat side down, on a cutting board. Work around the squash with a sharp knife or peeler, making sure to remove the layer of lighter colored flesh under the skin as well as the skin. Dice into 1/2-inch cubes to make about 1 cup (reserve any leftovers for another use).
• Arrange the diced squash and pears on a baking sheet and toss with the oil. Roast until browned, about 20 minutes; set aside at room temperature.
• Make a cross slit on the rounded end of each chestnut with a sharp paring knife. Place on a baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes, or until the cut sections on the bottoms of the nuts just start to curl. Peel the chestnuts as soon as they are cool enough to handle, as they will peel the easiest when hot. Cut into quarters and set aside.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F. Wrap the shallots in parchment paper and then in aluminum foil. Bake until tender and slightly caramelized, about 1 hour. Once the shallots are cool enough to handle, chop coarsely and set aside.
• To make the vinaigrette: In a large sauté pan, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy; transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve the fat in the pan. Once the fat has cooled slightly, strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a measuring cup that has a spout. in a blender or food processor, combine the mustard, honey, vinegar, thyme, and pepper and blend for 30 seconds. Slowly add the strained warm bacon fat and the oil through the cap of the blender or the feed tube of a food processor, blending until thoroughly combined Pour the vinaigrette into a large mixing bowl.
• Add the squash and pears, chestnuts, shallots, bacon, komatsuna, tatsoi, and mustard greens to the mixing bowl and toss with the warm vinaigrette. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• In a standing mixer, using a whisk attachment, mix in cider vinegar, apple juice, brown sugar, cracked black pepper, cayenne, cinnamon and salt. Blend on medium speed until all ingredients are incorporated. Continue mixing on low speed and add oil slowly until emulsification starts. Change speed to medium and add remaining oil.

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together shallot, cider, and vinegar. Whisk in the walnut oil, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss with the greens and divide among four plates. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Shake the rinsed greens in a colander to remove the excess liquid, but the leaves don't have to be thoroughly dry.
• Heat a large pot over high heat until very hot. Add the olive oil. When the oil is almost smoking, add the garlic and cook for a few seconds until it is light brown. Add a couple of handfuls of greens and toss with tongs, incorporating the garlic so it doesn't burn on the bottom of the pan.
• Add the remaining greens all at once, or in batches if your pot isn't large enough to hold it all at once. Toss constantly so the greens wilt evenly. When wilted, season with salt and pepper. Continue cooking over high heat, tossing often, until the excess liquid evaporates.
• Turn greens out into a bowl and let it cool to room temperature, then season with vinegar. Serve at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 2 days and eat cold.
• Michael's Notes: The wine vinegar will cause the greens to lose their beautiful green color. You can omit it, but I think it improves their taste.