Scarola 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.

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.

PASTA FAGIOLE

Steps:

• Pour olive oil in a saucepan and heat oil, then add green onions and pancetta. Cook until onions are soft, a few minutes, then add tomatoes, garlic, basil and parsley and cook until tomatoes break down. Add beans, chicken broth and wine, bring to boil and cook about 10 minutes. Season to taste. Add pasta and Romano, mix well and serve.

VEAL CHOP A LA GABE

Steps:

• For the veal: Heat oil in a deep fry pan. Meanwhile, stir together eggs, Romano, some parsley and some salt and pepper in a bowl. Dust the veal with flour, then dip in the egg wash, followed by the breadcrumbs, being sure to coat well with crumbs.
• Cook the veal on both sides until golden brown. Remove the veal and discard the oil.
• For the potatoes: Using the same pan, heat some oil. Add garlic, parsley and some salt and pepper. Once the garlic starts to burn, add lemon juice. Spoon mixture over a bed of fried potatoes and top with the veal.
• Add oil to a pan and heat oil, then add potatoes, peppers and some salt and pepper. Cook until potatoes are golden brown, then toss with parsley and oregano.

SCAROLA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a rapid boil. Add the escarole and cook until tender but firm, about 5 minutes after the water returns to the boil. Remove the escarole with a slotted spoon, place in a bowl, and set aside. Reserve * cup of the cooking water. Set aside. (The escarole may be parboiled and set aside several hours before proceeding with the recipe.) Warm the olive oil in a large saute pan set over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook to flavor the oil but do not let it brown, about 2 minutes. Add the escarole and the reserved cooking water. Cook, stirring occasionally, to warm through and bring the flavor of the garlic and escarole together, about 4 minutes. Serve immediately.

CHICKEN VESUVIO

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. In a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, toss the potato wedges with 3 tablespoons olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon oregano. Season with salt and pepper. Spread the potatoes out in an even layer. (It's OK if some overlap). Bake, tossing gently once halfway through cooking, until the edges begin to brown, and the potatoes can be pierced with a fork but are still quite firm, about 30 minutes. (They'll finish cooking with the chicken.)
• While potatoes roast, prepare the chicken: Season the chicken with salt, pepper and the remaining 1 teaspoon oregano. In a large 12-inch skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high until it shimmers. Working in batches if necessary, cook the chicken, skin-side down, until it is golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
• Reduce heat to medium-low, add the butter and garlic to the skillet and cook until the butter is melted and the garlic is fragrant and just beginning to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the chicken stock and wine to the skillet, bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Add the peas. Pour the mixture evenly over the potatoes, then gently stir to combine. Place chicken on top of the cooked potato mixture, skin-side up. Drizzle any reserved chicken juices on top.
• Bake until the chicken is cooked through and the potatoes are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Turn on the oven's broiler function, and broil until the chicken skin is golden brown and crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. Drizzle with lemon juice, and sprinkle with parsley. Serve immediately, with plenty of the pan juices spooned over the chicken and potatoes, and crusty bread on the side.