Arugula Salad with Fried Gorgonzola
- 7 ounces Gorgonzola
- 1 large egg, beaten to blend
- 3/4 cup dried Italian bread crumbs
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
- 1/3 cup olive oil, plus more for deep-frying
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 12 cups coarsely torn arugula (about 10 ounces)
- Blend the Gorgonzola in a food processor until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the work bowl occasionally.
- Using 1 rounded teaspoon of cheese for each, form the cheese into 18 (1-inch) balls.
- Working in batches, coat the balls with the egg then with the bread crumbs.
- Repeat coating the balls in the egg and bread crumbs.
- Arrange the balls on a small baking sheet.
- Cover and refrigerate until cold, at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Whisk the lemon juice, garlic, and lemon peel in a medium bowl to blend.
- Gradually whisk in 1/3 cup oil.
- Season the dressing, to taste, with salt and pepper.
- Set the dressing aside.
- Add enough oil to a heavy small saucepan to come 2 inches up the sides of the pan.
- Heat the oil over medium heat.
- At this point, remove the refrigerated Gorgonzola balls from the refrigerator.
- Working in batches, add the cold balls to the hot oil and fry just until golden brown, about 20 seconds.
- (It is essential that the Gorgonzola balls be cold when they go into the oil, otherwise they will fall apart in the oil.
- If they start to warm up at any point, return them to the refrigerator to firm back up.)
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried balls to paper towels to drain.
- Toss the arugula in a large bowl with enough dressing to coat.
- Season the salad, to taste, with salt and pepper.
- Mound the salad on plates.
- Top the salads with the hot fried Gorgonzola balls and serve immediately.
gorgonzola, egg, bread crumbs, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, arugula
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/arugula-salad-with-fried-gorgonzola-recipe.html (may not work)