Catalan Escarole Recipes

ESCAROLE ITALIAN STYLE

Steps:

• Cut ends off escarole & seperate leaves. Place in a sink full of cool water and let soak while agitating.
• Meanwhile, in large wide pan, saute shallots in oil until soft and browning, add minced garlic and 1/2 salt and saute another minute.
• Rough chop escarole and with a bit of the water clinging to leaves and add to pan.
• Add remaining salt.
• NOTE It will be ALOT until it starts to wilt just keep turning from the bottom. Saute 15 to 20 minutes or until most of the water is evaporated and escarole is tender. Sprinkle with red pepper if desired.

ESCAROLE SICILIANO

Steps:

• Heat oil in a wok over high heat. Add escarole; cook and stir until greens begin to wilt. Stir in lemon juice. Add capers, salt, and olives; cook and stir for another 15 seconds. Season with black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

SAUTED ESCAROLE WITH GARLIC AND CANNELLINI BEANS

Steps:

• In a large skillet start the garlic in cold oil over moderately high heat, stirring, until it is golden. To the skillet add the escarole, salt and pepper to taste. Saute the mixture, stirring, for 1 minute. Cook the mixture, covered, over moderately low heat for 4 minutes, or until the escarole is tender, stir in the cannellini beans. Heat through.

SAUTEED ESCAROLE WITH GARLIC AND CANNELLINI BEANS

Steps:

• In a large skillet start the garlic in cold oil over moderately high heat, stirring, until it is golden. To the skillet add the escarole, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Saute the mixture, stirring, for 1 minute. Cook the mixture, covered, over moderately low heat for 4 minutes, or until the escarole is tender, stir in the cannellini beans. Heat through.

CATALAN-STYLE FRESH SARDINE ESCABECHE

Steps:

• Whisk together matzo meal and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Pat fish dry and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Dredge in matzo meal to lightly coat, shaking off excess.
• Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Fry fish in 3 batches, turning if necessary, until just cooked through, about 1 minute for sardines or 2 to 3 minutes for mackerel. Transfer with a slotted spoon to shallow dish.
• Reduce heat to medium and cook garlic in oil remaining in skillet until it just turns golden, about 30 seconds. Add onion and carrot and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Add paprika and oregano and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add wine, vinegar, cinnamon stick, zests, and 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes. Cool sauce to room temperature, then pour over fish and marinate, chilled, at least 12 hours.
• Bring to room temperature before serving and season with salt if necessary.
• What to drink:
• Yarden Galilee Cabernet Sauvignon '05

ESCAROLE WITH GARLIC

Steps:

• Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a deep pot. Drop the escarole into the water all at once. Stir until it is submerged and allow the water to come back to a boil. Cook 1 to 2 minutes and remove the pot to the sink. Run cold water into the pot to stop the cooking and pour the escarole into a colander to drain. Press out excess moisture and reserve.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and saute the garlic in it until softened but not browned, about 1 minute. Add the drained escarole, raise the heat and saute, stirring constantly, until just heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

SAUTEED ESCAROLE WITH GARLIC

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, and cook, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add escarole hearts, and cook for 1 minute. Add remaining leaves, and cook, stirring until bright green and wilted, about 2 minutes more. If necessary, add a few tablespoons of water to aid in wilting. Add butter, and stir until melted. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.

CATALAN ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Soak the chili in hot water until soft. Seed & thinly slice. Set aside.
• Toast the pine nuts in a small skillet over medium heat until golden, about 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Add 1 Tbsps. of the butter and 1/8 teaspoons salt. Continue stirring until the butter has melted and coats the nuts; set aside.
• Heat the oil in a small skillet over low heat; add the shallots and garlic. Cook until shallots are translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add the reserved pine nuts and currants; cook 1 minute. Raise the heat to high; add the escarole and chili; season with 1/2 teaspoons salt.
• Stir escarole until it begins to wilt, about 3 minutes. Add the remaining 2 Tbsps. of the butter; stir until melted.