Jambon de Bayonne, Baby Artichokes and Arugula

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Published by Hyperion

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Editor's Note: If you are looking for a touch of Spanish cuisine on your next menu, here is a dish that is sure to please. Jambon de Bayonne, Baby Artichokes and Arugula is a great starter dish for any dinner party you are planning. This arugula salad is simply over the top once the Jambon de Bayonne is added. If you are not able to get that ingredient, prosciutto is a worthy substitute. This salad also features black peppercorn, fennel seeds, onion and garlic. It is just the opening dish you need for your next exciting dinner event.

I first visited Spain in 1999. Now, the hot list of what to bring back from Spain will depend on who you’re talking to, but if you ask me, no item is more worthy of being smuggled back than an aged Spanish ham. Looking at the pigs hoof sticking out of my carry-on as I drove away from Kennedy Airport (how is it that no customs official noticed that trotter?), I was already scheming up dishes.

Serves4

CostSplurge

OccasionCasual Dinner Party, Cooking for a date, Formal Dinner Party

Recipe CourseAppetizer, Main Course

Dietary ConsiderationDiabetic, Egg-free, Gluten-free, Low Carb, Peanut Free, Soy Free, Tree Nut Free

MealDinner, Lunch

Taste and TextureJuicy, Light, Meaty, Salty, Sharp, Tangy, Tart

Type of DishFirst Course Salad, Main Course Salad, Salad

Ingredients

4 cloves garlic, peeled and lightly smashed under the blade of a heavy knife
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
12 baby artichokes
Salt and ground pepper to taste
2 bunches arugula, washed and dried
12 thin slices jambon de Bayonne or prosciutto, torn into bite-size pieces
4 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, shaved thin

Instructions

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and sweat the onion and garlic until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the peppercorns and fennel seeds, and cook for 2 minutes. Add the white wine and remaining ¾ cup olive oil and simmer for 20 minutes.
Fill a bowl with water and add 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice. Cut off artichoke stems. Remove the outermost leaves by rotating the artichoke against the blade of a sharp knife. Trim off any leaves still attached to the bottoms. Cut the top third off each artichoke and discard. As you finish each artichoke, place immediately in the water bath. The citric acid will help retard discoloration (oxidation).
After the olive oil mixture has simmered for 20 minutes, strain it into a clean saucepan, discard spices, and return liquid to medium heat. Add the artichokes and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the artichokes are completely tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Transfer artichokes to a bowl. Cover bowl with plastic and refrigerate until ready to compose the salad.
Strain 1/2 cup artichoke cooking liquid into a measuring glass. Discard the rest. To this whisk in remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice a little at a time. Taste, and season with salt and pepper. Add more lemon juice if necessary: vinaigrette should be well balanced and not too acidic.
Toss arugula with half the vinaigrette and plate. Drape pieces of ham over greens. Slice each artichoke in half and scatter pieces over greens and meat. Finish salads with shavings of cheese and vinaigrette.