Scarola Recipes

SCAROLA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a rapid boil. Add the escarole and cook until tender but firm, about 5 minutes after the water returns to the boil. Remove the escarole with a slotted spoon, place in a bowl, and set aside. Reserve * cup of the cooking water. Set aside. (The escarole may be parboiled and set aside several hours before proceeding with the recipe.) Warm the olive oil in a large saute pan set over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook to flavor the oil but do not let it brown, about 2 minutes. Add the escarole and the reserved cooking water. Cook, stirring occasionally, to warm through and bring the flavor of the garlic and escarole together, about 4 minutes. Serve immediately.

ESCAROLE AND BEAN SOUP

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add the escarole and saute until wilted, about 2 minutes. Add a pinch of salt. Add the chicken broth, beans, and Parmesan cheese. Cover and simmer until the beans are heated through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Ladle the soup into 6 bowls. Drizzle 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil over each. Serve with crusty bread.

ESCAROLE AND BEANS

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in escarole, turning to coat with oil. Season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes, or until tender.
• In a separate skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Stir in garlic. Pour in beans with juices, and simmer until creamy, about 10 minutes. Stir in escarole and parsley; simmer 10 minutes more.

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.

SAUTéED ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and anchovies, and cook, stirring, until the anchovies dissolve, about 2 minutes.
• Add the whole escarole leaves to the skillet, with a little water from washing still clinging to them, and season with the salt. Stir in the olives. Once the escarole begins to wilt, cover the skillet and cook until the leaves are tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Check occasionally to make sure the pan is not dry; if it is, add a few tablespoons of water and re-cover.
• Once the escarole is wilted and tender, uncover and cook for another minute or two to evaporate any excess liquid. Season with salt (keeping in mind that the anchovies and olives contain salt), and serve warm.

STUFFED ESCAROLE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the bread crumbs, olives, anchovies, 1/4 cup wine, 1/4 cup olive oil, cheese, pine nuts, raisins, parsley, and capers.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Discard any damaged outer leaves from the escarole, wash thoroughly between the leaves and shake dry.
• Take out the center leaves to make room for the stuffing, then stuff the escarole and tie closed with kitchen string.
• In a large, deep skillet, heat the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil over medium-high heat.
• Lower the heat, add the garlic and escarole and fry, turning with tongs, until softened, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer the escarole to a plate.
• Pour the remaining 1/4 cup wine and the chicken broth over the escarole.
• Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
• Remove the string and slice the escarole open to serve.

SAUTEED ESCAROLE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add garlic, and cook until fragrant and lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Stir in escarole; season with salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 10 minutes.