🥗👩🍳 Anne Burrell’s Asparagus, Pecorino, and Red Onion Salad 🥗👩🍳
Overview:
Anne Burrell’s Asparagus, Pecorino, and Red Onion Salad is a delightful and refreshing salad that combines the crispness of asparagus, the savory goodness of Pecorino cheese, and the zesty kick of red onions. It’s a perfect dish for spring and summer, celebrating the flavors of the season.
History:
While the exact origin of this specific salad recipe may not be well-documented, salads with asparagus, cheese, and onions have a long history in Mediterranean cuisine. Asparagus has been enjoyed for centuries, and Pecorino cheese, made from sheep’s milk, is a classic Italian cheese. Red onions add a vibrant color and sharp flavor to the mix. Anne Burrell, a renowned American chef, likely put her own twist on these traditional ingredients to create this delicious salad.
Components:
- Asparagus: Fresh, crisp asparagus spears are the star of this salad. They should be tender and bright green.
- Pecorino Cheese: Pecorino is a hard and salty Italian cheese made from sheep’s milk. It adds a rich, savory flavor to the salad.
- Red Onion: Red onion provides a sharp, slightly sweet, and colorful element to the dish.
- Lemon Zest: Freshly grated lemon zest brightens up the salad with a citrusy aroma.
- Olive Oil: High-quality extra-virgin olive oil serves as the base for the dressing.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds acidity and tanginess to the dressing.
- Salt and Pepper: To season the salad and enhance the flavors.
Preparation Steps:
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Prepare the Asparagus: Trim the tough ends of the asparagus and blanch them in boiling salted water for about 2-3 minutes until they are tender but still crisp. Immediately transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, pat them dry.
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Slice the Asparagus: Cut the blanched asparagus spears into thin diagonal slices.
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Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. This is your zesty dressing.
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Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the sliced asparagus, thinly sliced red onion, and Pecorino cheese. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
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Serve: Plate the salad on a serving dish, and you can garnish it with a bit more Pecorino cheese if desired.
Time Needed:
- Preparation Time: Approximately 15-20 minutes.
- Cooking Time (blanching asparagus): 2-3 minutes.
- Total Time: Around 20-25 minutes.
This salad is not only delicious but also visually appealing with its vibrant colors. It makes for an excellent side dish or a light meal on its own. Enjoy! 🍽️🥂😊
Certainly! Here are the nutrition facts and health information for Anne Burrell’s Asparagus, Pecorino, and Red Onion Salad:
Nutrition Facts (Approximate, per serving):
- Calories: 150-200 kcal
- Total Fat: 12-15g
- Saturated Fat: 4-6g
- Cholesterol: 15-20mg
- Sodium: 200-300mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 7-10g
- Dietary Fiber: 3-4g
- Sugars: 2-3g
- Protein: 6-8g
- Vitamin C: 15-20% of Daily Value
- Calcium: 15-20% of Daily Value
Health Information:
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Low in Calories: This salad is relatively low in calories, making it a healthy choice for those watching their calorie intake.
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Good Source of Fiber: Asparagus is a good source of dietary fiber, which aids digestion and helps maintain a feeling of fullness.
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Rich in Vitamins: The salad is rich in vitamin C, which is essential for a healthy immune system and skin. It also contains vitamin A and K.
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Moderate Protein: While not extremely high in protein, this salad does provide a moderate amount, thanks to the Pecorino cheese and asparagus.
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Calcium Content: Pecorino cheese contributes to the calcium content of the salad, which is essential for bone health.
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Low Sugar: The salad contains very little sugar, making it suitable for those looking to limit their sugar intake.
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Low Sodium (if seasoned moderately): Depending on the amount of salt used in the dressing, this salad can be relatively low in sodium.
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Healthy Fats: The olive oil used in the dressing provides healthy monounsaturated fats, which are good for heart health.
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Gluten-Free: This salad is naturally gluten-free, making it suitable for individuals with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
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Vegetarian: It’s a vegetarian salad, suitable for those who don’t consume meat.
Please note that the exact nutritional content may vary depending on the specific ingredients and portions used. It’s always a good idea to adjust the recipe to meet your dietary preferences and needs.
