Rubin's Salad Dressing
Phyllis Rubin
Yield: 6 - 8 servings

6 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. acid - wine vinegar and lime juice
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. sugar
crushed clove of garlic
1/2 tsp. tarragon
1/8 tsp. Tabasco

Note: My house dressing ever since we met Phyllis and Jesse in the Air Force in 1962. I often add blanched, slivered almonds.


Mâche with Raw Asparagus
Gourmet Cookbook
Ruth Reichel, Editor
Yield: Serves 6 as a first course

2 Tbsp. shelled unsalted natural (not dyed red) pistachios
1/4 cup olive oil
1 Tbsp. Champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar
6 jumbo asparagus spears (9 oz.), trimmed
salt
6 oz. mâche, trimmed (6 cups)
Freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano (use a vegetable peeler to shave cheese)
Position a rack in middle of oven and preheat to 350o. Heat pistachios on a small baking sheet in oven until just warm, 2 - 3 minutes. Coarsely chop. Whisk together the oil, vinegar and salt to taste in a small bowl. Cut tips from asparagus and reserve for another use. Starting at tip end, cut asparagus spears on a long diagonal into 1/8-inch slices. Gently toss mâche, asparagus, and pistachios in a large bowl with just enough vinaigrette to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange salad on plates. Top with cheese shavings.

Note: If you can't find mâche, substitute Boston lettuce leaves torn in bite-sized pieces.

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