In a world where health is becoming increasingly important, I decided to make use of some cannelloni that I had left over from a previous recipe titled 'The Towers of Babel'. Although they have a fairly long shelf life, I felt it was time to start cooking something healthy before inspiration left me. Thus, I chose to use only the fat left from melted parmesan, adding a few drops of olive oil to drizzle over the salad.
For the filling of these 'bigudiuri', I opted for a delicious combination: I prepared a homemade olive paste, diced some beef pastrama (which fortunately contains no fat at all) and added a few cubes of fresh tomatoes. Before starting the assembly, I soaked a handful of rice noodles, which will add an interesting texture to the dish.
On a platter, I laid down a bed of crispy green salad, which will provide a pleasant contrast to the rich filling of the cannelloni. After completing the filling, I drained the noodles and carefully placed them on the platter to create an attractive arrangement. The salad dressing was simple but effective; I chose to use just a few drops of olive oil, as the balsamic reduction syrup I added already had enough acidity and flavor to season the salad.
Another essential step was preparing a yogurt sauce, which I mixed with salt, parsley, and finely chopped dill. This sauce will add a fresh note and a refreshing taste, perfect for balancing the rich consistency of the cannelloni. With all the ingredients prepared, I did the 'mise en place' just before serving this special dish, making sure to dress the salad right before we sat down to eat.
During the cooking process, I got carried away and started decorating the platter. As a saying in our house goes, 'when silence falls in the kitchen, beware, Iulia is decorating!' I was tempted to add more ingredients, but I managed to restrain myself, keeping in mind the dietary restrictions of many ladies. The final result exceeded my expectations! I'm not necessarily a fan of light dishes, but after enjoying this salad with cannelloni, I truly felt full. I continued with delicious smoked bacon, cheese, and red onion, everything being a true feast for the taste buds!
For the filling of these 'bigudiuri', I opted for a delicious combination: I prepared a homemade olive paste, diced some beef pastrama (which fortunately contains no fat at all) and added a few cubes of fresh tomatoes. Before starting the assembly, I soaked a handful of rice noodles, which will add an interesting texture to the dish.
On a platter, I laid down a bed of crispy green salad, which will provide a pleasant contrast to the rich filling of the cannelloni. After completing the filling, I drained the noodles and carefully placed them on the platter to create an attractive arrangement. The salad dressing was simple but effective; I chose to use just a few drops of olive oil, as the balsamic reduction syrup I added already had enough acidity and flavor to season the salad.
Another essential step was preparing a yogurt sauce, which I mixed with salt, parsley, and finely chopped dill. This sauce will add a fresh note and a refreshing taste, perfect for balancing the rich consistency of the cannelloni. With all the ingredients prepared, I did the 'mise en place' just before serving this special dish, making sure to dress the salad right before we sat down to eat.
During the cooking process, I got carried away and started decorating the platter. As a saying in our house goes, 'when silence falls in the kitchen, beware, Iulia is decorating!' I was tempted to add more ingredients, but I managed to restrain myself, keeping in mind the dietary restrictions of many ladies. The final result exceeded my expectations! I'm not necessarily a fan of light dishes, but after enjoying this salad with cannelloni, I truly felt full. I continued with delicious smoked bacon, cheese, and red onion, everything being a true feast for the taste buds!
Ingredients
50g parmesan Olive paste Beef or chicken pastrama Diced tomatoes Parsley and fresh dill Salad Rice flour noodles Yogurt Balsamic vinegar reduction + honey Dijon mustard with seeds (optional)