Escarole Endive Walnut Fontina Salad Food

ESCAROLE-APPLE SALAD WITH WALNUT DRESSING

Steps:

• Puree 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 3 tablespoons chopped walnuts, 2 teaspoons dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt in a blender until smooth. Slowly add 1/3 cup olive oil with the motor running; blend until creamy. Combine 1 torn head escarole, 1 thinly sliced fennel bulb, 2 thinly sliced apples and/or pears, 1 cup fresh parsley, ½ cup chopped walnuts and 1/4 cup minced chives in a large bowl. Add the dressing, season with salt and pepper and toss.

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.

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.

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.

FRISéE, ESCAROLE, AND ENDIVE SALAD

Steps:

• Toss greens with kosher salt in a large salad bowl. Drizzle oil over greens and toss to coat well. Sprinkle vinegar over greens and toss again.

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.

ESCAROLE SALAD WITH CHAMPAGNE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325ºF. Line a baking sheet with foil. Spread pecans evenly over baking sheet in a single layer. Toast until pecans become fragrant, 5-7 minute Do not let burn. Remove from baking sheet and chop nuts in 1/2. Set aside.
• In small container with lid, combine vinegar, oil, mustard, shallots, salt, and pepper. Secure and shake until emulsified and well blended.
• Add escarole to large salad bowl. Drizzle dressing to toss. Sprinkle pecans over salad.