Escarole Endive Walnut Fontina Salad Recipes

ESCAROLE CAESAR SALAD WITH WALNUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Submerge escarole leaves in a large bowl of ice water for 10 minutes. Then thoroughly dry in a salad spinner or colander, and place in a single layer on a paper towel-lined dish cloth. Roll up cloth; refrigerate until lettuce is crisp and completely dry (any water clinging to leaves may cause the dressing to break), at least 2 hours and up to 2 days. Tear the leaves into bite-size pieces.
• Place garlic in a large wooden bowl, add 1/4 teaspoon salt, and mash to a paste with a fork. Transfer half of paste to a rimmed baking sheet; set bowl aside. With the fork, stir butter into garlic paste on sheet. Toss with walnuts to evenly coat. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese, season with salt and pepper, and toss again to evenly coat. Spread into a single layer. Bake, stirring halfway through, until toasted and golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool to room temperature on sheet.
• Add anchovies to bowl with garlic paste and mash to a paste with a fork. Whisk in lemon juice, Worcestershire, Dijon, and egg yolk. Season with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Slowly add oil in a thin stream, whisking constantly. Add lettuce and toss to evenly coat, then toss with remaining 3/4 cup cheese and walnuts. Serve immediately.

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 AND WALNUT SALAD

Steps:

• Stir together vinegar, mustard, and shallots in a small bowl.Gradually whisk in oil. Toss escarole with vinaigrette,and sprinkle with walnuts. Season with salt and pepper.

ESCAROLE SALAD WITH ANCHOVY VINAIGRETTE

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.

ESCAROLE, BLOOD ORANGE, AND WALNUT SALAD

Steps:

• Cut ends off orange, then cut off peel, pith, and outer membrane following the curve of the fruit. Cut between each membrane to remove whole segments, and place in a small bowl. Squeeze juice from membranes into another bowl. (You should have about 2 tablespoons juice.) Discard membranes.
• Cut each orange segment in half, and toss with escarole, celery stalks and leaves, and walnuts in a large bowl. Add reserved juice, oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper, and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

SICILIAN ESCAROLE SALAD

Steps:

• Add Wine vinegar to bottom of bowl.
• Peel garlic, and using a garlic press, add garlic to vinegar and allow to sit at least 10 minutes. (Alternatively, if you don't have a garlic press, mince garlic finely and then sprinkle with salt and rub the side of your knife across it to crush garlic to a fine paste, then add to vinegar as above.) Stir pepper, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes into vinegar. Add chopped onion, stir to mix together.
• Wash and thoroughly dry the escarole and separate the leaves, tearing them into 1-2 inch pieces. Add to vinegar and garlic, chop the cucumber into one inch pieces and season with black pepper.
• If using the optional anchovies, break them into sections and add to the olive oil. Otherwise, pour olive oil over salad, sprinkle with salt and mix gently but thoroughly. Taste and adjust seasonings.
• Escarole salad can be easily varied to suit the ingredients that you have available, or what's seasonal at the market. But remember, it's best kept rather simple, with not too many ingredients.
• This can be topped with Parmesan croutons or served with [bruschetta]. When in season, optionally add fresh ripe tomato slices and use chopped fresh basil and oregano. Another nice addition is roasted red peppers. Or add 2" X 1/2" slices of salami, mortadella or a sharp Italian cheese such as Asiago or Provolone. Or add a can of cannelloni beans (drained), or a can of Italian Tonno (tuna) packed in olive oil.
• Note: When using anchovies, adjust salt, as anchovies can be very salty depending on how they're packed.

ENDIVE, APPLE AND WALNUT SALAD

Steps:

• Remove any damaged outer leaves of the endives and rinse with cold water. Dry with paper towels, then separate the leaves, or slice crosswise, about 1/2 inch thick. Place in a wide salad bowl. Add the walnuts, gruyère, parsley and tarragon.
• Quarter the apple and cut away the core, then slice very thin (you should have at least 16 slices). Place in a bowl of water acidulated with 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
• Whisk together the vinegars, lemon juice, mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the oils. Taste and adjust seasonings.
• Drain the apple slices, dry on paper towels, then add to the salad bowl. Toss with the dressing and serve.