So nice to have mustard greens in our box this week. I love these spicy frilly leaves. This recipe makes a Caesar-type salad dressing. Don’t be afraid of the anchovies – they really stand up to the bite of the greens. I’ve adapted this recipe from chow.com.
Ingredients:
2 anchovy fillets, finely chopped 1 medium garlic clove, finely chopped 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 1/2 cups large-dice crusty bread 1 bunch mustard greens 1 medium pear or apple 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese (about 2 1/2 ounces) 3/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
Preparation:
Heat the oven to 425°F and arrange a rack in the middle. While it’s heating, make the dressing.
Place the anchovies and garlic on a cutting board. Make a paste by pressing down on the blade of a chef’s knife and dragging the side of it across the garlic and anchovies at a 15-degree angle, alternating between smashing them together and chopping the mixture, until a fine paste forms.
Transfer the paste to a large, nonreactive bowl, add the vinegar, season with salt and pepper, and whisk to combine. While whisking continuously, add 1/4 cup of the oil in a slow, steady stream until it’s fully incorporated; set aside.
When the oven is ready, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in a large oven-safe frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the bread, season with salt and pepper, and stir to coat in the oil.
Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 5 minutes. Stir the croutons and bake until crispy and golden brown, about 5 minutes more. Remove the pan from the oven and set aside.
Cut out the tough stems from the mustard greens and discard. Arrange the leaves in stacks, slice in half lengthwise, and then cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces. Wash and dry the greens; set aside. Core the pear and cut it into thin slices.
Whisk the dressing to recombine, add the mustard greens, and toss to coat. Add the pear, cheese, almonds, and croutons and toss to combine. Serve immediately.