Prosciutto And Tomato Salad With Smoked Mozzarella Croutes Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place tomatoes in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until softened, about 5 minutes. Drain. In a large bowl, toss together tomatoes, salad greens and prosciutto.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, oil, salt and pepper. Place the bread on a baking sheet and top each piece with a slice of mozzarella. Bake until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
• Toss the salad with the dressing and divide between 2 or 4 plates. Divide the croutes between the plates and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Cook the asparagus in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp tender, about 2 to 3 minutes. With a spider or slotted spoon, remove asparagus from boiling water to a bowl of ice water to cool and stop the cooking. When cool, strain, cut asparagus into 1-inch pieces, and set aside.
• Return the water in the pot to a boil, adding additional water, if necessary. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add asparagus to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the pasta, and if needed, some of the reserved cooking liquid. Toss to coat. Add the prosciutto, mozzarella, and basil, and toss to combine. Turn off the heat. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.

Steps:

• Carefully wash the arugula in several changes of water, being aware of the dense sand usually found on this green. Trim off and remove the stems. Dry the leaves in a salad spinner.
• Slice the smoked mozzarella into thin 1/8 inch slices. Slice the tomatoes as neatly and evenly as the cheese, 1/8 inch thick.
• Brush the bread with 2 tablespoons extra virgin oil and grill or toast under a broiler until crisp and golden. Encircle the outside edge of a serving platter with the crostini. Lay the clean arugula out in the center of the platter as a base for the salad.
• Combine the vinegar with the mustard in a small stainless steel bowl. Whisk together briskly while drizzling in the olive oil. Add the diced onion and combine.
• Carefully layer the slices of mozzarella, tomato, prosciutto and basil leaves around the greens. Drizzle vinaigrette over and around, sprinkle pine nuts and serve.