Escarole Salad With Warm Bacon Dressing Food

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.

WARM ESCAROLE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler.
• Quarter the escarole lengthwise through the stem end. Wash the escarole wedges under cold water, being sure to wash away any dirt or grit between the leaves. Drain well.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl. Slowly drizzle in 1/4 cup of the oil, whisking constantly, until blended. Stir in the raisins.
• Arrange the escarole wedges, cut-side up, on a baking sheet. Drizzle the wedges with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil until the escarole is browned and charred in places on top but still raw underneath, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Spoon the raisin vinaigrette over the warm escarole wedges; sprinkle with the almonds.
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ESCAROLE SALAD WITH BACON, CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND BLUE CHEESE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• 1. Cook the bacon over medium heat in a medium skillet until crispy, about 12 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. To the drippings add the sliced onions and toss well. Cook until deep brown and well caramelized, stirring occasionally, another 25 minutes. Season with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper.
• 2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl stir together the cheese, vinegar and oil. The dressing will be chunky and not completely emulsified. Place the escarole in a large serving bowl and crumble the bacon over it. When the onions are done and still warm, sprinkle over the escarole along with the dressing. Toss well just before serving and season to taste with salt and pepper.

ESCAROLE WITH BACON, DATES, AND WARM WALNUT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Combine escarole, dates, and walnuts in large bowl. Cook bacon in medium skillet over medium-high heat until brown and crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Add bacon to bowl with salad.
• Discard drippings from skillet; add walnut oil. Place over low heat. Add shallot; sauté until soft, about 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat; add vinegar and whisk to blend. Season vinaigrette with sea salt and black pepper. Gradually add warm dressing to salad, tossing to coat. Divide among plates.

ICEBERG WEDGE SALAD WITH WARM BACON DRESSING

Steps:

• Remove the core from the lettuce and cut into 4 quarters. Arrange on serving plates and set aside.
• In a small skillet saute bacon until crisp. Remove from skillet, to a plate lined with a paper bag or paper towels. Once cooled, chop into small pieces and add to a small bowl. In the skillet over low heat, add the brown sugar, vinegar and salt and pepper, to taste. Whisk together until combined and sugar is completely dissolved. Stir in the egg and bacon and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour over the top of the iceberg wedges and serve immediately.

CURLY ENDIVE SALAD WITH WARM BACON DRESSING

Steps:

• Combine sugar and flour in small bowl. Gradually whisk in vinegar, then egg. Whisk in broth.
• Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium heat until crisp and brown. Whisk in vinegar mixture. Stir until dressing comes to simmer and thickens. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 hour ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Rewarm over low heat before continuing.)
• Place endive in large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat. Serve, passing remaining dressing separately.

SPINACH SALAD WITH WARM BACON DRESSING

Steps:

• Remove the stems from the spinach and wash, drain and pat dry thoroughly. Place into a large mixing bowl and set aside.
• Place the eggs into an electric kettle and cover with cold water by at least 1-inch. Turn the kettle on. Once the water comes to a boil, the kettle will turn itself off. Leave the eggs in the water for 15 minutes. Remove and peel off the shell. Slice each egg into 8 pieces and set aside.
• While the eggs are cooking, fry the bacon and remove to a paper towel to drain, reserving 3 tablespoons of the rendered fat. Crumble the bacon and set aside.
• Transfer the fat to a small saucepan set over low heat and whisk in the red wine vinegar, sugar and Dijon mustard. Season with a small pinch each of kosher salt and black pepper.
• Add the mushrooms and the sliced onion to the spinach and toss. Add the dressing and bacon and toss to combine. Divide the spinach between 4 plates or bowls and evenly divide the egg among them. Season with pepper, as desired. Serve immediately.