Food Network: Spring Panzanella

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Spring Panzanella
Recipe courtesy Michael Chiarello, 2007

Ingredients
2 pound medium asparagus
1/2 cup freshly chopped basil leaves
8 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Sea salt, preferably gray salt and freshly ground black pepper
Panzanella Croutons, recipe follows
2 cups fresh or frozen English peas, boiled until tender and drained
1 cup thinly sliced green onion or spring onion
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, divided
1/2 head radicchio, ribbon-cut, soaked, drained, and dried
2 cup whole baby spinach leaves or arugula
Wedge ricotta salata cheese

Directions
Holding an asparagus spear in both hands, bend the
spear until it breaks naturally at the point where the spear becomes tough.
Discard the tough end. Repeat with the remaining asparagus. Cut off the tender
tips and reserve.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the asparagus tips
and cook briefly, just until they lose their raw taste. Lift them out with a sieve
or skimmer and let cool. Add the remaining portion of the asparagus spears and
cook until tender enough to puree, then drain well.

Put the asparagus spears basil, 6 tablespoons of the olive oil, and salt and
pepper, to taste, in a blender or food processor. Puree until smooth.

In a large bowl, combine the croutons, asparagus tips, peas, and green or spring
onion. Add some of the asparagus puree and toss to coat well. Add more puree as
needed to coat lightly and evenly. Add 3 tablespoons of the lemon juice and toss
again. Taste and adjust the seasoning, then make an even layer of the mixture on a
platter.

In another bowl, combine the radicchio and spinach or arugula. Dress with the
remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, the remaining 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and salt
and pepper to taste. Toss well, then mound on top of the dressed croutons. With a
cheese plane or vegetable peeler, shave some ricotta salata over the top. Serve
immediately.

Ingredients

Panzanella Croutons:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
12 cups crust-free cubed day-old bread (1/2-inch cubes)
3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Melt the butter in a large skillet over moderate heat and cook until it foams. Add
the bread cubes and toss to coat with the butter. Transfer the bread to a baking
sheet. Immediately sprinkle with the cheese and toss again while warm to melt the
cheese.
Bake, stirring once or twice, until the croutons are crisp and lightly colored on
the outside but still soft within, about 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool. Store in an

airtight container.

Michael's Notes: I use a serrated knife to remove the crust from day-old bread,
and then switch to a chef's knife to cut the cubes because it doesn't tear the
bread. Also note that I recommend grating the Parmesan finely so that it will
stick to the bread better.
Yield: 4 to 4 1/2 cups

Ingredients
Panzanella Croutons:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
12 cups crust-free cubed day-old bread (1/2-inch cubes)
3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Melt the butter in a large skillet over moderate heat and cook until it foams. Add
the bread cubes and toss to coat with the butter. Transfer the bread to a baking
sheet. Immediately sprinkle with the cheese and toss again while warm to melt the
cheese.

Bake, stirring once or twice, until the croutons are crisp and lightly colored on
the outside but still soft within, about 10 to12 minutes. Let cool. Store in an
airtight
container.

Michael's Notes: I use a serrated knife to remove the crust from day-old bread,

then switch to a chef's knife to cut the cubes because it doesn't tear the bread.
Also note that I recommend grating the Parmesan finely so that it will stick to
the bread better.

Ingredients
Yield: 4 to 4 1/2 cups