Saturday, January 15, 2011

New Favorite in the Kitchen


I love to cook. There are certainly days and even seasons where I do less of it, but on a good week we eat all of our meals at home. Hospitality is a gift DH and I share. We love to have others to our home, and try to do so as often as possible. Some of our favorite evenings are spent at home with a good meal and a game or deck of cards to entertain everyone following the meal. Great memories are often forged around the dinner table!

One of my new favorite ingredients is PANCETTA. Pancetta is an Italian bacon that has been cured with salt and pepper. It is much saltier than bacon. It is delicious! You buy pancetta in the deli section at the grocery store. Ask for a size 2 slice. At Thanksgiving, my dear friend, Rachel, who is an incredible cook, made the best appetizer! It was pancetta with arugula, goat cheese, and figs. I believe the recipe below is similar:

Pancetta Crisps with Goat Cheese and Figs
Makes 12

12 thin Pancetta slices

12 Arugula leaves

12 tsp. soft, fresh Goat Cheese

Fig jam or preserves

6 fresh Figs (You can substitute 6 plump dried Mission figs or 12 small fresh persimmon wedges)

You can add chopped thyme on top if you so desire

Fresh ground pepper

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place pancetta in single layer on large rimmed baking sheet. Bake until crisp, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool 15 minutes and transfer to platter. I have also cooked pancetta in the pan like you cook bacon and that also works well. I love the little rounds it makes!

2. Top each slice with 1 arugula leaf, 1 teaspoon of goat cheese and 1/4 teaspoon of jam.

3. Depending on the size of your figs, top with 1/2 a fig. (The figs I purchased were large, so I used 1/6 of a fig per appetizer). Sprinkle with freshly ground pepper. You may want to add the thyme as well.

Bon appetit!

14 comments:

LPC said...

Pancetta is indeed a great foodstuff. You can use it so many ways, it's almost like a flavoring unto itself.

Love Being A Nonny said...

I've never used it...but plan to now. Thank you for sharing this!

The enchanted home said...

Hi I had to comment because I am a pancetta nut and look for any excuse to cook with it, eat it...if I am not a bonafide "foodie" then I am definitely a bonafide "eatie". I posted a recipe about 4 days ago along with my post of the day for a fabulous Pasta Fagiole soup and the secret is for sure the pancetta. We are super lucky because we live near a very Italian community, only about 15 min. away so there are major Italian specialty stores abound and they have the most amazing cheeses, meats, sauces,etc..with lines out the door every weekend, but its always worth the wait. You might enjoy this recipe..the soup is always a huge hit and everyone wants to know the recipe.Visit me...
www.theenchantedhome.blogspot.com

Love Being A Nonny said...

In response to your heart question (On propane tanks)...I think he is actually waiting until March and doing a basketball. We are big ACC basketball fans!! (Though you just gave me an idea. In February, I think I will have him paint a red heart on his right chest!!!!) Thanks!

Donna said...

This recipe looks delish!! I love to use Pancetta too...and so does Giadda!!

Gwennie said...

Guess what I just watched? Miss Nancy Minds Their Manners! It arrived today, and I think I spied you at the parents tea. What a delightful documentary. Thank you so much for the suggestion.

Jo said...

This appetizer looks and sounds wonderful. I'm printing it out and giving it a try at our next function. You just can't go wrong with pancetta ~ yum!

Jo

Travelbugmom said...

Great recipe...and I have the ingredients already! Yes, we LOVE pancetta in this house. Most favorite is to brown it, add garlic, a little bit of chicken stock and chopped fresh plum tomatoes....it is a delish fresh spaghetti sauce.
Also, pancetta, white northern beans and some diced tomatoes is a great side.
Thanks

3 Peanuts said...

That appetizer sounds delish...I love pancetta

Jessica Ryan said...

oh now that sounds divine! Love all the ingredients!

CarolinaGirl said...

That looks amazing!!

Paula@SweetPea said...

This sounds delicious. I've only used Pancetta a few times. Thanks for sharing your recipe.

annechovie said...

Fantastic recipe - I love pancetta! Thank you. xx

Grateful for Grace said...

I would love to be a guest at a party hosted by YOU! That sound delish!