Sauteed Radicchio Orange Bacon And Pecan Salad Food

PASTA WITH RADICCHIO, BACON AND PECANS

Steps:

• Heat the broiler. Put a large pot of water on the stove, bring to a boil, then turn to a simmer so it is ready for cooking pasta.
• As water boils, put 2 cups water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer. Add bacon lardons, and blanch for 1 minute, then drain and set aside.
• Cut radicchio into 1-inch wide ribbons and spread out on a parchment-lined baking sheet. (If using Tardivo, just cut off bottom of bunch to free the slender leaves.) Drizzle 3 tablespoons olive oil evenly over radicchio and season generously with salt and pepper.
• Broil radicchio close to the heat source so it chars. Cook for about 5 minutes, until warmed through, but not wilted. Remove and let cool slightly, then chop crosswise into rough 1-inch pieces.
• Salt the pasta water and bring to a hard boil. Add rigatoni and cook until al dente, usually 11 to 15 minutes, depending upon the brand.
• While pasta is cooking, put 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large wide skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook until crisp and lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Turn off heat and add rosemary and red pepper.
• Drain pasta (reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water) and add to skillet. Add reserved radicchio and ricotta and toss to incorporate.
• Transfer pasta to a warmed deep serving platter or individual bowls. Sprinkle pecans over surface and top with a dusting of pecorino. Serve immediately and pass remaining cheese at table.

SQUASH AND RADICCHIO SALAD WITH PECANS

Steps:

• Squash:
• Place racks in middle and lower third of oven and set a rimmed baking sheet on each; preheat oven to 450°F. Toss squash with oil in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper. Remove baking sheets from oven and divide squash between them, arranging in a single layer. Roast, rotating sheets halfway through, until browned and tender, 15-25 minutes. Set squash aside; reduce oven temperature to 350°F.
• Do Ahead: Squash can be roasted 1 day ahead. Let cool, then transfer to an airtight container. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature or heat slightly in a microwave before using.
• Vinaigrette and assembly:
• Toss pecans with 1 tsp. oil in a small bowl; season with salt. Toast on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing halfway through, until slightly darkened and fragrant, 8-10 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely chop. Set ½ cup pecans aside for serving.
• Blend shallot, lemon juice, orange juice, mustard, maple syrup, and remaining pecans in a blender until mostly smooth. With motor running, gradually stream in ½ cup oil and blend until emulsified and smooth. Season dressing with salt and pepper.
• Toss radicchio and half of dressing in a large bowl to coat; season with salt and pepper. Arrange on a platter. Toss reserved squash with remaining dressing in the same bowl to coat; season with salt and pepper. Arrange over radicchio.
• Toss Asian pear with lemon juice in a small bowl. Top salad with Asian pear, cheese, parsley, and reserved pecans. Squeeze juice from lemon half over and drizzle with oil; season with more salt and pepper.
• Do Ahead: Vinaigrette can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before using.

ORANGE RADICCHIO SALAD

Steps:

• Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.
• Mix together dressing and drizzle over salad.
• Stir to ensure salad is coated.
• I like to make this about 30 mins before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

SAUTEED RADICCHIO, ORANGE, BACON, AND PECAN SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° F.
• In a baking pan toast pecans in one layer in middle of oven until golden and fragrant, about 10 minutes. With a sharp knife cut peel and pith from oranges and cut orange sections free from membranes. Discard outer leaves from radicchio and halve lengthwise. Cut radicchio crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick slices.
• Cut bacon into 1/2-inch pieces and in a 12-inch heavy skillet cook over moderate heat, stirring, until just golden. With a slotted spoon transfer bacon to a large bowl. Pour off fat from skillet and in skillet heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Saut radicchio, stirring, until wilted, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to moderate and stir in vinegar. Cook radicchio, stirring, 1 minute more. Transfer radicchio to bowl and toss with bacon, nuts, and pepper. Season salad with salt.
• Serve salad topped with orange sections.

RADICCHIO AND ENDIVE SALAD WITH PECAN VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a small bowl whisk together vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper to taste. Whisk in oil in a slow stream. Coarsely chop pecans and in a small shallow baking pan toast in one layer in middle of oven until fragrant and a shade darker, about 5 minutes. Immediately stir hot pecans into vinaigrette.
• Separate radicchio leaves and tear out some of white veins. Divide leaves decoratively between 2 plates (see photograph, above). Discard any discolored outer leaves from endive and cut two 1-inch sections from head. Arrange each section in center of radicchio leaves. Thinly slice remaining endive, discarding core, and sprinkle over salads. Drizzle vinaigrette over salads.