Italian Style Salad With Crisp Pancetta Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Arrange the pancetta in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until golden brown and crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain.
• Meanwhile, mash together the Gorgonzola, sour cream and lemon juice in a bowl. Add the milk and whisk to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
• Arrange the iceberg wedges and tomatoes on 4 plates. Drizzle with the Gorgonzola dressing and crumble the pancetta over the top. Garnish with the chives.

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.