July 5, 2009 -- Melon & Prosciutto Salad, Spanish Chicken & Chorizo, and Peach Cobbler

Prosciutto & Melon Salad with Cantaloupe Vinaigrette

A fresh interpretation of the classic Italian antipasto of melon and prosciutto, this recipe adds arugula to the mix. Ripe cubed cantaloupe ensures a smooth dressing. Prepare vinaigrette a day in advance, and refrigerate.

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 4 teaspoons canola oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 12 cups arugula leaves
• 1 medium honeydew melon, peeled, seeded, and cut into 24 slices
• 1 medium cantaloupe, peeled, seeded, and cut into 24 slices
• 8 very thin slices prosciutto (about 4 ounces)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup (1/2-inch) cubed cantaloupe

Preparation:

1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a food processor; process until smooth.
2. Place 1 1/2 cups arugula on each of 8 salad plates. Top each serving with 3 honeydew slices, 3 cantaloupe slices, and 1 prosciutto slice. Drizzle each serving with about 1 tablespoon dressing; sprinkle evenly with pepper.

Recommendation After: Halve the amount of melon and cantaloupe cut. There is lots leftover! Also, a blender doesn't work as well as a food processor for the dressing.


Spanish/Basque Chicken and Chorizo Sauté

Ingredients:

• • 4 ounces dry chorizo, sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 6 whole chicken legs, split (3 1/2 pounds)
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 medium red bell peppers, cut into 1/2-inch-thick strips
• 2 medium red onions, thinly sliced
• 6 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 2 large thyme sprigs
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 3/4 cup dry sherry
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• One 9-ounce package frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and pressed dry
• 2 tablespoons shredded basil
• Crusty French bread, for serving

Preparation:

1. Heat a very large, deep skillet. Add the chorizo and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until lightly browned and some of the fat is rendered, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chorizo to a large plate.
2. Heat the olive oil in the skillet. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and cook over moderately high heat, turning once, until well browned, 15 minutes. Add the chicken to the chorizo.
3. Add the bell peppers, red onions, garlic and thyme to the skillet and cook over moderate heat until barely softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, sherry, paprika and crushed red pepper and cook for 1 minute, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
4. Return the chicken and chorizo to the skillet. Cover and simmer over moderately low heat, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through, about 25 minutes. Add the artichokes, tucking them in between the chicken pieces. Raise the heat to moderate and cook uncovered until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a deep platter. Stir the basil into the sauce and spoon over the chicken. Serve with crusty bread.

Recommendation After: Great for leftovers. Might not serve as many as you think.



Peach Cobbler