Ensalada de Boquerones

Ingredients

Shallot oil:

• 8 whole shallots
• 2 cups extra virgin olive oil
• 1/8 cup sherry vinegar
• 1/2 cup beet juice
• 3/4 cup roasted shallots
• Salt and pepper
• 1/4 pound boquerones
• 1 carrots, julienned
• 1 red bell peppers, julienned
• 1/4 bunch scallions, julienned
• 1/4 bunch asparagus

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Shallot oil: In a small baking pan place whole shallots and add all olive oil. Roast in oven for 15 minutes. Remove shallots from oil, peel and julienne them. Reserve 3/4 cup shallots and 1/2 cup oil. In a food processor, combine vinegar, beet juice and roasted shallots. With a steady stream, add 1/2 cup roasted shallot oil then add salt and pepper to taste and set dressing aside. In a mixing bowl combine boquerones, carrots, peppers and scallions. Arrange the asparagus on a serving platter then place the boquerones mixture on top and pour 3 ounces of the dressing around the plate and on top of the salad.