Warm Escarole Salad Recipes

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.

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.

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.

Steps:

• For the croutons: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F; position an oven rack in the middle of the oven.
• In a large bowl, toss the bread cubes with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Spread the bread cubes on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool. (The croutons will keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.)
• For the escarole: Preheat a grill on medium heat.
• Cut the escarole head in half, then wash and dry. Grill the escarole cut-side down to give it a little char, about 3 minutes. (Do not flip and cook the other side. We are looking for just some of the escarole to be charred.) Set aside and let cool.
• For the warm anchovy vinaigrette: In a small saucepot, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over low heat until shimmering. Add the shallots and anchovies and cook, stirring, until the shallots have softened and the anchovies fall apart and dissolve in the oil, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the red pepper flakes. Add the vinegar and cook, stirring, until it has reduced slightly, about 1 minute. Whisk in the remaining 4 tablespoons oil.
• Cut the escarole into 1-inch pieces and put in a large bowl. Add the vinaigrette and croutons and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• For the escarole salad: Set a small saute pan over medium heat; coat with olive oil. Add the prosciutto, and cook until crispy. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Combine the hazelnuts, pecorino and parsley in a food processor; pulse until coarsely chopped. In a bowl, toss together the escarole, hazelnut mixture and some pickled red onions. Dress with some red onion pickling liquid and olive oil. Season with salt, and garnish with crispy prosciutto.
• For the chicken Milanese: Set up a standard breading station in three wide, deep plates. Fill one plate with the flour, a second with the beaten eggs, and a third with the panko and Parmesan. Sprinkle the chicken breasts with salt. Using one hand for dry things and one hand for wet things, take each piece of chicken through the breading procedure: Dredge lightly in the flour, then in the egg wash, and then through the breadcrumbs. Lay the breaded chicken on a baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
• Pour olive oil into a large saute pan until it reaches a depth of about 1/2 inch--better a little more than a little less. Bring the oil to medium-high heat. Test by flicking flour or breadcrumbs into it; if it doesn't sizzle, WAIT! When the oil is hot, test it again by dipping the edge of a piece of chicken; the oil should sizzle gently. In batches, cook the chicken on both sides until crispy and a lovely golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes. (Do not crowd the pan or the chicken will become very greasy and soggy.) When the chicken comes out of the oil, drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt. If you like, keep the chicken warm in a low oven while the rest of the chicken is cooking.
• Place the chicken serving plates and top with escarole salad.
• In a small bowl, combine the red wine vinegar with 1/2 cup cold tap water. Stir in the salt, sugar and hot sauce. Add the sliced onions, and let sit for at least 1 hour.

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.