Prosciutto Bacon, Steamed Romanseco and Avocado Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette

I found this interesting alien-esk vegetable at the farmers market on Sunday from Peninsula Fresh Organics. This amazing green vegetable is actually called Romanesco Broccoli (it’s botanical name is broccolo romanesco), it’s related to cauliflower and it was supposedly documented in Italy as far back as the 16th century.

(click for larger pictures)

This salad turned out really well and was a great way to eat my first Romanesco! I also made sure each Romanesco floret kept its shape (by cutting near the ‘stem’ of the Romanesco too), It’s too beautiful to not I say.

Prosciutto Bacon, Steamed Romanseco and Avocado Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette

 

Makes: 1 Serve

 

Mustard Vinaigrette Ingredients:

(basic vinaigrette recipe based on The Concise Larousse Gastronomique)

• 1 T. apple cider vinegar
• ¼ t. celtic sea salt
• 3 T. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 t. mustard
• black pepper

To make the vinaigrette: dissolve the salt in the vinegar by whisking with a fork or whisk. Beat in the oil, mustard and pepper till it becomes emulsified.

Salad Ingredients:

• ½ avocado, sliced and cubed
• a few tablespoons of flat leaf parsley, washed
• ¼ red onion, sliced
• ¼ romaesco florets or cauliflower steamed
• 2 pieces of proscuitto or bacon, torn into small pieces
• 1 t. olive oil
• 2-3 T. mustard vinaigrette

Prepare the avocado, parlsey and onion (as above) and put them in a bowl. Cut pieces off the romanesco (around a third of the romanesco) and then lightly steam them till soft. While they are steaming, cook the proscuitto with the olive oil in a pan till crispy. Add the romanesco and proscuitto to the bowl then toss the salad. Add the dressing to taste.

Enjoy,

Michelle.

Linked up to Slightly Indulgent Tuesday, Two For Tuesdays Real Food Wednesday

Michelle

Health Food Lover is Michelle Robson-Garth. Michelle is a degree-qualified Naturopath (BHSc) and Massage Therapist. She is also a passionate writer, recipe-creator and all-round foodie from Melbourne, Australia. © Copyright: 2009-2012 Michelle Robson-Garth. Please ask permission first when using any text or images on healthfoodlover.com. Read the disclaimer here. Have a look at the recipe index for more health food lovin’ recipes. Join the Facebook page & follow Health Food Lover on twitter.

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