Grilled Escarole Recipes

GRILLED ESCAROLE CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• For the Caesar vinaigrette: Combine the Garlic Confit, vinegar, Parmigiano-Reggiano, salt, pepper, anchovies, egg yolk and 2 tablespoons water in a blender, then blend on medium speed until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the oil in a thin stream until it has been incorporated and the vinaigrette is creamy.
• Use immediately or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate. The vinaigrette will keep for up to 3 days.
• For the grilled escarole: Heat a grill for cooking over medium-high heat.
• Sprinkle escarole with salt and pepper. Put escarole cut-side down on grill and cook until grill marks form, about 1 minute. Remove from grill and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Transfer to a serving platter and toss with Caesar vinaigrette to taste.
• Place the garlic in a small saucepan and add enough oil to cover. Set the saucepan over low heat and cook until the garlic is soft and pale golden, 30 to 35 minutes. Let the garlic cool in the oil. Store garlic covered in the oil, adding more oil if necessary.

GRILLED SHRIMP AND ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium high. Toss the beans, roasted red peppers, scallion, vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl; set aside. Toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in another large bowl. Drizzle the cut sides of the escarole with 1 tablespoon olive oil; season with salt and pepper.
• Arrange the escarole, chorizo and shrimp on the grill. Grill the escarole, turning once, until charred in spots, 2 to 4 minutes; divide among plates. Grill the shrimp and chorizo, turning once, until cooked through, about 5 minutes for the shrimp and 10 minutes for the chorizo. Add the shrimp to the bean mixture. Transfer the chorizo to a cutting board and slice into 1-inch pieces; add to the bean mixture and toss.
• Spoon over the escarole; drizzle each serving with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle with paprika.

GRILLED ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Get your grill going. If you're using charcoal, you're looking for a not-too-hot fire (I like to think of the coals as being "soft," which is to say they should be halfway through burning). If you're using a gas grill, set the heat to medium. If you're using a grill pan indoors, set it over medium-low heat.
• Shake the escarole dry. Cut it lengthwise straight through the core into 4 wedges. Drizzle each wedge with plenty of olive oil, about 1 1/2 tablespoons per wedge, and season aggressively with salt. Grill the wedges, turning only once, until wilted and charred in spots, about 10 minutes altogether.
• Transfer the escarole to a serving platter, give it a healthy drizzle of olive oil, and scatter the olives over the top. Serve immediately.

GRILLED CHEESE WITH SPRING ONIONS & ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Note: I used torpedo onions. One torpedo is equal to a bunch. Torpedo onions are prepared more like a leek. Thinly slice the base and set aside the tops to use in a vegetable stock.
• 1. Thinly slice the onions as well as the garlic clove.
• 2. Pour the olive oil into the pan on medium heat. Add sliced onions and garlic and cook gently, stirring occasionally until they turn medium brown in color. Add a pinch of salt; set aside.
• 3. Slice 8 pieces of bread and 2 thin slices of cheese per sandwich.
• 4. Brush both sides of bread slices with a bit of olive oil. Put a layer of the onion mixture on the slices of bread. Add a layer of escarole and cheese and top with the remaining slices of bread.
• 5. Heat a grill pan or non-stick skillet to medium high. Grill the sandwich on one side, pressing down with a spatula, until bread is golden brown. Flip and cook until second side is also browned and cheese is melted. Serve.

GRILLED CHICKEN AND ESCAROLE SANDWICH WITH WHITE-BEAN SPREAD

Steps:

• Whisk together oregano, vinegar, and 1 tablespoon oil. Brush marinade onto both sides of chicken. Transfer chicken to a nonreactive dish; cover, and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Put remaining 2 tablespoons oil and the garlic into a large skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until garlic has softened, about 2 minutes. Add beans and reserved liquid, and rosemary. Cook, mashing beans with the back of a wooden spoon, 5 minutes. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt; season with pepper. Transfer to a small bowl. Cover, and set aside
• Heat a large grill pan over medium-high heat. Coat with cooking spray. Add chicken. Grill, turning once, until cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Season with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Transfer to a plate; let cool slightly. Cut chicken into 1/4-inch-thick slices; set aside.
• Toast bread. Spread each slice with white-bean spread, dividing evenly. Top 4 slices with the chicken, radishes, and escarole, and then the remaining bread.

GRILLED WHOLE SNAPPER WITH ESCAROLE AND PRESERVED LEMONS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together sugar and 1/4 cup coarse salt. Cut 2 lemons in half crosswise, remove any visible seeds, and transfer to a small container. Add sugar and salt mixture and one sprig of thyme. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours and up to 1 week.
• Coarsely chop remaining lemon and 6 cloves of garlic and place in a medium bowl; toss to combine. Divide lemon and garlic mixture evenly and add to the cavity of each fish, along with 1 sprig of thyme; set aside.
• Finely chop remaining 2 cloves garlic and thyme leaves. Add to a small bowl with olive oil; whisk to combine.
• Preheat a grill pan over high heat. Brush fish with olive oil mixture and season with salt and pepper. Place fish on grill and cook, turning once, until the thick, fleshy part is firm to the touch, about 8 minutes per side, brushing occasionally with olive oil mixture.
• Remove lemons from sugar and salt mixture. Brush off any excess sugar and salt and place on grill, flesh side down. Cook until lemons are charred. Remove fish and lemons from grill. Serve immediately with escarole and a sprinkling of sea salt.

TUSCAN GRILLED PIZZA WITH ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Prepare a hot fire (475° to 500°F) in a wood-fired grill.
• Combine the garlic and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a small bowl and let stand for 30 minutes. Combine the mozzarella and fontina in a bowl.
• Heat a large skillet on the grill, add the pine nuts, and toast, stirring occasionally, until golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in the same pan over medium heat. Add the escarole and cook, stirring occasionally until it wilts, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the vinegar and red pepper flakes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside
• Divide the dough into 2 round pieces and form each into a ball. Do not work the dough too much. Roll one ball into a 10- to 11-inch round. Transfer to a lightly oiled baking sheet and brush the top of the dough with olive oil. Repeat with the second ball of dough.
• Take the dough and all of the toppings to the grill. Place one pizza round, oiled side down, on the grill. Cover the grill and cook for 5 minutes. Turn the pizza over and brush the marked side to within 1/2 inch of the edge with the garlic-infused oil. Move the pizza off direct heat. Sprinkle half of the combined cheeses on top of the oil. Top with half of the escarole, pine nuts, and olives, spreading evenly. Close the lid and bake until golden and crisp, about 7 minutes. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make a second pizza.
• In a bowl, combine the yeast, 1/4 cup of the warm water, and 1/4 cup of the flour in a small bowl. Let stand for 30 minutes. Add the remaining 1 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water, the olive oil, and salt. Mix the dough thoroughly. Turn out onto a floured board and knead until smooth, elastic and a bit tacky to the touch, 7 to 8 minutes. Place in an oiled bowl and turn to cover with oil. Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Or, let the dough rise in the refrigerator overnight. The next day, bring the dough to room temperature.