Penne with Arugula and Prociutto

Recipe from The Gourmet Cookbook

1 pound penne
1/4 pound thin sliced prosciutto, chopped
1 pound arugula, coarse stems discarded and leaves coarsely chopped
2/3 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 teaspoon lemon zest
salt and fresh ground black pepper
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Cook pasta in a pot of boiling salted water according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup cooking liquid and drain pasta. Return pasta to pot and toss with prosciutto, arugula, cheese, zest and salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to combine, adding some cooking liquid if the pasta seems dry.

Arugula and Peach Salad with Creamy Chive Vinaigrette

Recipe by Molly Stevens from, Bon Appétit, August 2007

2 large ripe peaches
*I might add some cucumber slices as well
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, divided
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons whipping cream
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh chives
12 cups (loosely packed) arugula (about 6 ounces)

Wash peaches, rubbing to remove fuzz. Cut in half; remove pits. Thinly slice peaches. Place peach slices in large bowl. Add 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice; toss. Whisk 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice and olive oil in small bowl. Whisk in cream, then chives. Season with salt and pepper. Add arugula to bowl with peaches. Add dressing, toss serve.

Chicken Salad with Cherries and Arugula

Recipe by Anne WIllan, Good Food, No Fuss

(serves 4 for supper)
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into
1-inch cubes
olive oil, salt and pepper
1/2 lb. cherries, pitted and halved*
4 scallions, sliced
1/2 lb. arugla**
2 Tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted

(dressing)
juice of 2 lemons
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1-inch piece ginger root, grated
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4-1/2 cup olive oil
2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
salt and pepper

Toss the chicken with olive oil, salt and pepper and cook on a grill pan or under the broiler for approximately 3 minutes per side (should be cooked through but still juicy). Set aside to cool while you prep the other ingredients.

Wisk together dressing ingredients. Toss with greens and chicken. Plate the chicken salad and top with cherries and sesame seeds.

*If you don’t have a cherry pitter, the tip of a vegetable peeler works fine.
** I made this salad using farmer Ted’s salad greens and it was delicious!