Warm Escarole Salad Recipes

ESCAROLE SALAD

Steps:

• Make lemon-basil oil:
• Mix 1/3 cup olive oil, a strip of lemon zest, 8 torn basil leaves and a pinch of salt; infuse 2 hours. Soak 1/2 thinly sliced red onion in water for 10 minutes to mellow the bite. When ready to serve, toss 1 head chopped escarole, the onion slices, 2 sliced celery stalks, 3/4 cup chopped green olives and a few tablespoons olive juice, 2 segmented lemons and 1/4 cup each toasted pine nuts and golden raisins in a serving bowl. Discard the zest from the infused oil, drizzle over the salad and season with salt and pepper.

ESCAROLE SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk together the honey, whole grain mustard, lemon juice, and then stream in the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and toss with the escarole.

ESCAROLE SALAD WITH WARM BACON DRESSING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Arrange the bread slices on a large rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush evenly with the olive oil. Bake until toasted, turning halfway through, about 3 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.
• Combine the escarole and radicchio in a serving bowl. Set aside.
• Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain the bacon on paper towels, reserving the drippings in the skillet. Crumble the bacon.
• Add the anchovy and shallot to the drippings in the skillet and cook until softened and fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat. Whisk in the mustard, vinegar, honey, and extra-virgin olive oil until combined. Stir in the bacon and season to taste with salt and pepper. Pour the warm dressing over the lettuce in the bowl, add the crostini, and toss to coat.

ESCAROLE SALAD WITH BUTTERMILK-HERB DRESSING

Steps:

• Place escarole, parsley, apple, cheese, walnuts in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Add dressing and toss until well combined. Serve immediately.

ESCAROLE-AND-ORANGE SALAD

Steps:

• With a sharp knife, cut peel and pith off oranges and discard. Working over a large bowl, cut out segments, then squeeze 1 tablespoon juice from membranes. Whisk in minced cilantro, vinegar, and oil; season with salt and pepper. Toss with cilantro leaves, escarole, and scallions.

ESCAROLE SALAD WITH PARMESAN DRESSING

Steps:

• Combine the escarole and radicchio in a large salad bowl. Toss in the dates.
• In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the lemon juice, mustard, grated Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and black pepper. Shake well to combine. Pour over the salad and toss.
• Grate more Parmesan on top and serve.

WARM ESCAROLE SALAD WITH SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS AND PANCETTA

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and sauté until tender, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Using slotted spoon, transfer mushrooms to paper towels; reserve mushrooms.
• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet over medium-high heat. Add pancetta and sauté until crisp, about 2 minutes. Remove skillet from heat. Using slotted spoon, transfer pancetta to paper towels to drain; reserve pancetta.
• Carefully whisk vinegar into drippings in same skillet. Bring to simmer over medium heat, scraping up any browned bits. Add Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, mustard and 3 tablespoons oil, then brandy. Bring to simmer. Place escarole in large bowl; pour warm vinaigrette over. Toss to coat. Mix in reserved mushrooms and pancetta. Season with salt and pepper.
• *Pancetta, Italian bacon cured in salt, is available at Italian markets and some specialty foods stores.