Escarole With Olives And Tomato Recipes

SAUTEED ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Set a large pot of salted water to boil.
• Once the water has started boiling, add the chopped escarole, and simmer for about 5 minutes. The total time will vary based on how tough the leaves are.
• Meanwhile, over medium heat, drizzle 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat.
• Lower the heat to medium, add the sliced garlic (3-4 cloves) and sauté for 1-2 minutes or until the garlic is fragrant and just beginning to turn golden. Take care not to let the garlic brown.
• If desired, add a pinch or two of crushed red pepper
• Remove from heat.
• By this time, the parboiled escarole should be tender. Remove with a slotted spoon, allowing the excess water to drain off and place in a bowl. There will be a little bit of liquid that accumulates at the bottom of the bowl.
• Next, add the drained escarole to the pan of sauteed garlic along with a couple of tablespoons of the drained liquid.The oil might splatter a little so be careful.
• Return the pan back to medium heat and simmer for about 5-10 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated. If there is still a bit of liquid left, raise the heat to cook it off.
• Finally, season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Transfer to a serving dish and if desired serve with lemon wedges.

TOMATO, AVOCADO AND ESCAROLE SALAD

Steps:

• Combine the tomatoes, olives, mint and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add the escarole, vinegar and olive oil and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle in the avocado and pine nuts.

ESCAROLE AND OLIVE SALAD WITH RASPBERRY DRESSING

Steps:

• For the dressing: To the pitcher of a high-speed blender add the raspberries, olive oil, Dijon mustard, vinegar and salt. Puree on high for about 1 minute, scraping down the sides halfway through, until emulsified. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, toss together the radicchio, escarole, fennel and salt. Begin by adding half the dressing and tossing well to coat. Taste the salad to determine if it needs more dressing. Depending on the size of your lettuces it may take all the dressing. Divide the salad among 4 salad bowls and top evenly with the olives, sesame seeds and raspberries.

BRAISED ESCAROLE WITH OLIVES AND RAISINS

Steps:

• Heat a large straight-sided skillet over medium heat until hot. Add the oil, shallots, garlic and pepper flakes, if using, then season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir with a wooden spoon until the shallots are soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add the olives and raisins and stir to combine. Add the chopped escarole and season with the remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt. Stir to combine and coat the escarole in the flavors. Cover with the lid and allow to steam for 5 minutes. Remove the lid and increase the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring often, until the liquid has evaporated and the greens are tender, another 3 minutes.

BRAISED ESCAROLE WITH TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cook 3 sliced garlic cloves in olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until golden. Add 1 large head chopped escarole in batches, season with salt and red pepper flakes and cook until just wilted, 3 minutes. Add one 14-ounce can diced tomatoes; cook until the liquid is reduced, 7 minutes. Stir in 2 teaspoons chopped oregano; season with salt. Drizzle with olive oil and top with grated parmesan.

PASTA WITH WHITE BEANS, TOMATOES, AND ESCAROLE

Steps:

• In a kettle combine the beans with enough cold water to cover them by 2-inches and simmer them, covered, for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until they are tender. Drain the beans in a colander set over a bowl and reserve the cooking liquid. In a large deep skillet cook the onion, the garlic, the sage, the rosemary, the thyme, the red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste in the oil over moderately low heat, stirring, until the onion is softened, add the escarole in 2 batches, and cook each batch, stirring, for 2 minutes, or until the escarole is wilted. Add the wine and simmer the mixture for 3 minutes. In a blender or food processor purée 1 1/2 cups of the cooked beans with 2 cups of the reserved cooking liquid and add to the skillet with the remaining beans, the tomatoes with the reserved juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer the sauce, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, or until it is thickened slightly, and stir in the parsley. In a kettle of boiling salted water cook the fusilli until it is al dente, drain it well, and in a large bowl toss it with the sauce and the Parmesan.
• To quick-soak dried beans:
• In a colander rinse the beans under cold water and discard any discolored ones. In a kettle combine the beans with enough cold water to cover them by 2 inches, bring the water to a boil, and boil the beans for 2 minutes. Remove the kettle from the heat and let the beans soak, covered, for 1 hour.

ESCAROLE WITH OLIVES, RAISINS, AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• In a large skillet sauté the garlic in the oil over moderately high heat, stirring, until it is golden and discard it. To the skillet add the escarole, the olives, the raisins, and salt and pepper to taste and sauté the mixture, stirring, for 1 minute. Cook the mixture, covered, over moderately low heat for 4 minutes, or until the escarole is tender, stir in the pine nuts, and boil the mixture for 1 minute, or until the liquid is evaporated.

LENTIL AND ESCAROLE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat in a large soup pot or Dutch oven. Add the onion and carrots. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is tender, about five minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Stir in the tomatoes. Bring to a simmer, and cook, stirring, until the tomatoes have cooked down slightly and smell fragrant, five to 10 minutes. Add the lentils and simmer with the tomato mixture for a few minutes, then add the bouquet garni and the water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and add salt to taste (1 to 2 teaspoons). Cover and simmer 30 minutes.
• Add the escarole, and bring back to a simmer. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the escarole and the lentils are tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove the bouquet garni.
• Toast slices of country bread if desired and rub with a cut clove of garlic. Place a slice in each bowl, ladle in the soup 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.