Zachs Escarole Salad Recipes

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:

• 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:

• 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.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place 1 cup walnuts on rimmed baking sheet and toast in oven 10 minutes. Cool to room temperature and coarsely chop.
• Finely chop remaining walnuts and place in small saucepan with olive oil and garlic. Bring to bare simmer over medium heat. Remove from heat, cool to room temperature, and strain oil into medium bowl. Whisk vinegar, salt, and black pepper into oil.
• Spread escarole over a large platter. Sprinkle coarsely chopped walnuts and red onion over escarole and drizzle dressing over salad. Shave Pecorino Romano on top and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together garlic, lemon juice and salt. Let sit for 30 seconds for the salt to dissolve, then whisk in olive oil. Taste and add more salt if needed. Set aside.
• Prepare the salad: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium skillet over medium-high until it thins out, about 20 seconds. Add cheese and cook until golden on one side, 1 to 2 minutes, adding more oil if the pan dries out. Flip cheese and sprinkle with paprika. Let cook without moving until golden on the other side, about 1 minute longer. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Put escarole, parsley and shallot in a large salad bowl. Add the dressing and warm halloumi, and toss well, adding more oil, lemon juice and salt, to taste. Serve immediately, strewn with pomegranate seeds, if you like.

Steps:

• Remove the outside leaves of the escarole and cut the remainder into 2-inch pieces. Wash and dry thoroughly. You should have about 4 cups washed greens.
• Blend the mustard, garlic, vinegar and olive oil in a bowl or jar.
• Just before serving, combine the greens, the dressing and the reserved drippings and toss to mix.

Steps:

• Heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil in a small skillet over medium. Add hazelnuts and toast, stirring occasionally, until golden, 2-3 minutes. Season with 1/8 tsp. kosher salt. Remove from heat; set aside.
• Finely chop garlic clove. Using the side of a chef's knife, mash garlic with 1/4 tsp. kosher salt to form a paste. Whisk garlic paste, vinegar, mustard, and 1/4 tsp. pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk in 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil in a slow and steady stream.
• Place escarole, pears, Parmesan, basil, and about 1/3 of the reserved hazelnuts in a large bowl and drizzle with vinaigrette. Gently toss until salad is evenly dressed; season with sea salt and pepper. Top with remaining hazelnuts.
• Do Ahead
• The dressing can be made up to 1 day ahead. Whisk well before using.