Stuffed Escarole Recipes

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.

MEDITERRANEAN RICE-STUFFED ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in upper third.
• Quarter escarole lengthwise, leaving base attached, and rinse well. Cook in a medium pot of boiling salted water (2 tablespoons salt for 4 quarts water) 6 minutes. Drain and cool.
• Meanwhile, bring 1 quart water to a boil with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a medium saucepan. Add rice and parboil, uncovered, 10 minutes (rice will not be tender). Reserve 1/2 cup cooking liquid, then drain rice in a sieve.
• Cook pine nuts in 1/4 cup oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring, until pale golden, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until it begins to brown, about 1 minute. Add peppers, raisins, capers, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until raisins begin to plump, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add rice. Cool slightly, then stir in egg and 1/4 cup cheese.
• Cut off and discard base from 1 escarole quarter, then gently spread leaves to create a 4-inch-wide area. With base end nearest you, place one fourth of rice mixture in center of bottom half of escarole. Fold base of leaves over rice, then fold in sides and roll up rice in escarole. Put, seam side down, in a 2-quart flameproof shallow baking dish, then repeat with remaining escarole and rice.
• Drizzle with reserved cooking liquid and remaining tablespoon oil, then sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup cheese. Cover tightly with foil and bake until rice is tender, about 30 minutes.
• Remove foil and turn on broiler, then broil 4 to 6 inches from heat until cheese is browned, 4 to 7 minutes.

ESCAROLE STUFFED WITH RAISINS, WALNUTS AND ANCHOVIES

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 teaspoon of olive oil in a medium-size nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds. Add bread crumbs, walnuts, salt and pepper. Lower heat and cook, stirring frequently, until crumbs turn golden brown, about 4 minutes. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and toss in raisins, anchovy and capers. Stir in 2 tablespoons of chicken broth.
• Carefully open escarole leaves, like flower petals, leaving them attached to the core. Spoon filling between leaves. Close leaves up and tie string around escarole to secure. Heat remaining oil in a deep skillet. Add crushed garlic and pepper flakes and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add remaining broth and carefully place escarole in skillet. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook until escarole is tender, about 45 minutes. Remove string, cut into quarters and serve.

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.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE-ESCAROLE STUFFING

Steps:

• Brown sausage in large skillet sprayed with cooking spray, stirring occasionally; drain. Return to skillet; add escarole and garlic. Cook and stir until escarole softens, about 2 min. Remove sausage mixture from skillet; set aside.
• Use same skillet to prepare stuffing mix as directed on package. Stir in sausage, escarole and nuts.