Escarole Pear Parmesan And Basil Leaf Salad Food

ESCAROLE, PEAR, PARMESAN, AND BASIL LEAF SALAD

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.

ESCAROLE-PEAR SALAD

Steps:

• In small jar with tight-fitting lid, shake dressing ingredients. Set aside.
• Arrange escarole on 6 individual salad plates. Thinly slice pears; arrange slices over lettuce. Sprinkle hazelnuts over salads; drizzle with dressing. Serve immediately.

ESCAROLE SALAD WITH PEAR SLICES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together mustard and red-wine vinegar. Slowly whisk in the olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Set vinaigrette aside.
• Heat the broiler. Toast the bread slices until golden brown on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set toast aside.
• Separate the escarole leaves, and rinse well under cold running water; pat dry. Roughly chop leaves, and transfer to a large bowl.
• Cut the pear in half lengthwise; using a melon baller, remove core, seeds, and stem. Thinly slice pear halves lengthwise; add to bowl.
• Add celery pieces, and drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad. Toss gently to combine. Divide among four salad plates; serve with toast.

ARUGULA, PEAR AND PARMESAN SALAD

Steps:

• Peel and core the pears and slice thickly. Moisten with lemon juice to keep the flesh white.
• Combine the nut oil with the pears. Add the arugula leaves and toss.
• Turn the salad out onto four small plates with shaving of Parmesan cheese. Season with freshly ground pepper and serve with bread.
• You can sub the parmesan cheese for bleu cheese and add walnuts, if desired.

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.