Refried Radicchio Verde Food

MOZZARELLA WITH CHARRED RADICCHIO AND SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 475 degrees. Cut radicchio heads in half, from top to bottom. Cut each half into 2 or 3 large wedges. Drizzle each piece lightly with oil and season with salt and pepper. Lay them on a baking sheet and place on the top oven shelf. Roast until radicchio wedges are somewhat softened and charred at the edges, about 15 minutes. (Alternatively, cook the radicchio under the broiler, on the grill, or in batches on the stovetop in a cast-iron pan over high heat.)
• As radicchio cooks, put parsley, cilantro, chives, capers and lemon zest in a small bowl. Stir in 3/4 cup oil, the lemon juice and sumac, if using. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cut the mozzarella crosswise into 1/4-inch slices. For each serving, put 2 or 3 slices on one side of the plate. Set 2 wedges charred radicchio beside the mozzarella. Spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons salsa verde in the middle.

PAN-SEARED RADICCHIO WITH SOFT CHEESE

Steps:

• Quarter the radicchio head lengthwise and slice the hard white core off of each piece, then cut each quarter in half crosswise. Don't separate the leaves.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add the oil and carefully nestle the chopped radicchio into the pan, leaving it alone to sear on one side until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir for a few seconds. The radicchio leaves may separate and start to smell like roasted broccoli or kale. Immediately remove the pan from the heat so the leaves don't wilt too much. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the cheese, placing some pieces directly over the radicchio and others in the empty spots of the pan. The cheese will start to melt and bulge slightly. Drizzle the vinegar and honey evenly over the radicchio and cheese, and finish with a final sprinkling of salt, if you'd like.
• Serve right in the pan with crusty bread for dipping into the melty cheese and pan juices.

SAUTEED RADICCHIO AND FRIED KALE

Steps:

• Cut radicchio into quarters through root end, cutting away any tough core but keeping quarters intact. In a skillet heat olive oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and sauté radicchio, turning it occasionally, 5 minutes, or until tender. Season radicchio with salt and pepper and keep warm, covered.
• While radicchio is cooking, in a deep heavy skillet heat 1/2 inch vegetable oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking (about 350°F. on a deep-fat thermometer) and fry kale leaves, 1 at a time, turning them once, until crisp, about 15 seconds (kale will cause oil to spatter). Transfer kale as fried with tongs to paper towels to drain and season with salt. Serve kale with radicchio.