Paper-thin curls of Parmigiano-Reggiano accentuate the salad's nutty notes.
Special enough for company, these potatoes are easy to make plus very nutritious. They are extremely high in beta-carotene and an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium and fibre.
For a milder taste, use Parmesan instead of the stronger Romano cheese.
Serve this light summery salad with crispy, homemade Parmesan Breadsticks (see recipe below).
The slight bitterness of escarole in this hearty all-season soup balances the sweet richness of carrots, tomatoes and beans. If you can't find escarole, curly endive is a good substitute. It adds a touch of bitterness and needs just a minute or two more cooking.
The key to this recipe is to end up with a sauce that is thicker than water and contains big flavors though not so much as to overpower the mussels. Thus, the reduced wine adds flavor not more liquid; similarly the heavy cream instead of half & half or milk. The final trick that prevents this from being too thick is adding the mussels and covering the pan. As they cook, the mussels release their juices and this keeps the sauce at the correct consistency and intensifies the flavours, once you perform the final stir. The combination of ocean air with smokiness and oak transcends the sublime. (Excellent with Caesar salad and more of the same wine used for cooking.)
The flavours of this simple appetizer or main course allow the characteristic of each ingredient to shine through.
