Mamas Italian Escarole Food

ESCAROLE ITALIAN STYLE

Steps:

• Cut ends off escarole & seperate leaves. Place in a sink full of cool water and let soak while agitating.
• Meanwhile, in large wide pan, saute shallots in oil until soft and browning, add minced garlic and 1/2 salt and saute another minute.
• Rough chop escarole and with a bit of the water clinging to leaves and add to pan.
• Add remaining salt.
• NOTE It will be ALOT until it starts to wilt just keep turning from the bottom. Saute 15 to 20 minutes or until most of the water is evaporated and escarole is tender. Sprinkle with red pepper if desired.

ITALIAN SAUTéED ESCAROLE RECIPE

Steps:

• Place your raisins in a small bowl of water to plump. Fill a tall, 8-quart pot about 2/3 full with salted water, enough to cover the escarole when you add it later. Put the pot on the stove over high heat to boil. Fill your sink about halfway with cold water.
• Cut off the root end of the escarole. With the bunch horizontally in front of you, hold the leaves closed and slice the escarole into three equal sections (or two, if the bunch is small). Place the escarole leaves in the water-filled sink and swirl them around to remove the dirt.
• When the water on the stove is boiling, add the cleaned escarole to the pot. When the water returns to boiling, let the escarole cook for one more minute.
• Drain the escarole in a colander in the sink and rinse with cold water to cool it off. While the escarole is draining, peel and slice the garlic. Drain the raisins.
• When the escarole is cooled, use tongs to place the greens in a lint-free kitchen towel. Wrap the towel around the escarole and squeeze out the liquid. You also could use paper towels, but be careful if the greens are still really warm.
• Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a 12-inch skillet. Add the garlic, and when it becomes fragrant, add the escarole to the pan, tossing to mix. Add the salt and pepper. Sauté the greens for about three minutes, then add the raisins and pine nuts, stirring to combine. Sauté for another three minutes, or to your liking. Taste again for seasonings.
• Either serve immediately or let the escarole come to room temperature first. Refrigerate the leftovers for up to five days. Leftovers should be served at room temperature or just slightly heated in the microwave.

MAMMA'S ESCAROLE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan and brown the garlic.
• Add onion, carrots, and potato (if using). Cook 1 minute.
• Add broth.
• Add escarole, cover, and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour.
• Spoon into bowls and sprinkle with grated cheese.

SAUTéED ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and anchovies, and cook, stirring, until the anchovies dissolve, about 2 minutes.
• Add the whole escarole leaves to the skillet, with a little water from washing still clinging to them, and season with the salt. Stir in the olives. Once the escarole begins to wilt, cover the skillet and cook until the leaves are tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Check occasionally to make sure the pan is not dry; if it is, add a few tablespoons of water and re-cover.
• Once the escarole is wilted and tender, uncover and cook for another minute or two to evaporate any excess liquid. Season with salt (keeping in mind that the anchovies and olives contain salt), and serve warm.

ITALIAN ESCAROLE PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Lightly brush pizza crust with olive oil. Spread with a thin layer of pizza sauce, and sprinkle with minced garlic. Remove thick stems from escarole, and arrange leaves over pizza. Cover with shredded mozzarella.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly.