BLT PASTA (ORZO) SALAD
CHEF FRITZ BLAN - PHILADELPHIA, PA
One of the most overlooked characterizations of American cuisine is that we are a nation of sandwich eaters. Although the Englishman John Montagu—The Earl of Sandwich—is credited with inventing the first "sandwich," the French claim that they were munching on such delights hundreds of years prior to the introduction of the word.
Nonetheless, no other culture in the world has embraced the concept of sandwiches as enthusiastically as we Yanks. One of our country's more celebrated creations is the simple and perfect marriage of bacon, lettuce, and tomato, between two slices of toasted white bread with mayonnaise. Even so, it is rare to find a recipe or even a description of a BLT in cookbooks or journals. Rather, it is more likely to find the BLT eclipsed by fancier, more-complicated "club sandwiches."
Replacing toasted bread in a BLT with perfectly cooked orzo pasta is a straightforward innovation that produces an interesting, delicious, easy summer salad enjoyed by most everyone. Yield: eight 10 oz. servings.
3 cups cooked, rinsed and very well drained orzo
4 (or 6) strips bacon - cooked crisp and crumbled
1 cup "chunked" romaine lettuce - bottom thicker white parts preferred
1 cup peeled and de-seeded fresh tomatoes cut into 1-inch pieces ("Filetto del pommadoro")
1 cup (or more) of mayonnaise or "Miracle Whip"
1 teaspoon (or more) freshly cracked black pepper
Place the orzo into a large bowl. Layer the remaining ingredients on top of the orzo. Toss gently until well combined. Taste carefully and adjust seasonings as required. Serve immediately.
P.S. Some notations and suggestions.
1. Toasting the raw orzo before cooking enhances the illusion of a BLT sandwich.
2. Reduce the amount of tomato pieces and serve the salad in a scooped-out beefsteak tomato.
Posted by: pgeistfeld@yahoo.com
| Reply via web post | • | Reply to sender | • | Reply to group | • | Start a New Topic | • | Messages in this topic (1) |
panini grills reviews
ReplyDeletepanini maker review
professional panini grill
sandwich press commercial
restaurant sandwich press