Fricco Crackers & Pasta Tri-Color Salad
with Caesar Vinaigrette
This elegant pasta salad is a work of culinary art! The easy to make fricco crackers are made with Parmesan cheese. Created by Chef Michael Chiarello.
Recipe Ingredients:
1 (9-ounce) package BUITONI Refrigerated Three Cheese Tortellini, prepared according to package directions
3/4 cup bottled Caesar salad dressing* - divided use
1 (5-ounce) container BUITONI Refrigerated Freshly Shredded Parmesan Cheese - divided use
1 head Belgian endive, separated into whole leaves
1 small head radicchio, separated into whole leaves, soaked in cold water for 1 hour
2 cups (about 2 ounces total) lightly packed arugula, tough stems removed
Cooking Directions:
- Pour 1/2 cup dressing over prepared pasta in medium bowl. Marinate in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Heat 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle 1/3 cup cheese into pan, creating an even, lace-thin layer. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until top surface of cracker is pale gold. Remove skillet from heat and allow cracker to firm up for 1 minute. Carefully turn cracker over with spatula. Return to heat and cook for 1 minute or until cracker is golden on second side. Using spatula, transfer cracker to paper towel to drain. Wipe skillet clean with paper towel and repeat 2 times with 1/3 cup cheese each time to make 3 large crackers.
- Arrange endive, radicchio and arugula on 6 plates. Drizzle greens with remaining 1/4 cup dressing. Top with pasta; sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup cheese.
- Break crackers into smaller pieces and use as garnish. Serve immediately.
Makes 6 servings.
*Vegetarians can use a Caesar salad dressing made without anchovy.
Tip: Use a 5-ounce bag of packaged European blend salad greens in place of the endive, radicchio and arugula.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/6 of recipe): Calories: 340; Calories from Fat: 190; Total Fat: 21 g; Saturated Fat: 8 g; Cholesterol: 50 mg; Sodium: 770 mg; Carbohydrates: 22 g Dietary Fiber: 2 g; Sugars: 2 g; Protein: 17 g.
Recipe and photograph are the property of Nestlé® and Meals.com, used with permission.