Escarole Gratin Recipes

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.

GRILLED ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil the grate.
• Thoroughly wash and dry the heads of escarole, and trim the root ends and any unruly, floppy leaves from the tops of the escarole heads, leaving the heads intact. Split the heads in half lengthwise, and brush the cut side of each half with about 1/2 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil. Sprinkle the split heads with salt and pepper.
• Grill with cut sides down on the preheated grill until the escarole is wilted and has begun to brown, about 3 minutes.
• Sprinkle each grilled escarole head with about 1/2 tablespoon of blue cheese and 1/2 tablespoon of ranch dressing. Serve warm.

ESCAROLE GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place a colander in a large bowl. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. In 2 batches, cook escarole until tender, 7 minutes, then drain in a colander, pressing with a spatula to squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
• In a small saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium. Cook shallot and garlic until tender, 4 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Whisking constantly, add milk and cook, whisking, until mixture comes to a boil and thickens, 2 minutes. Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper, and stir in escarole. Pour mixture into a 1-quart baking dish.
• In a food processor, pulse bread until coarse crumbs form; transfer to a small bowl. Melt 1 tablespoon butter and pour over breadcrumbs, stirring to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Top escarole with breadcrumbs and bake until golden brown and bubbling, 15 to 20 minutes.

ESCAROLE TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a large skillet, cook escarole, covered, over medium heat until wilted, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Place in a sieve set over a medium bowl, and let drain. When cool enough to handle, place in a towel, and squeeze to remove excess liquid; set aside.
• In the same skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and anchovies, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add reserved escarole, olives, and raisins. Cook, stirring occasionally, until completely combined and no liquid remains in the skillet. Season with salt and black or red pepper. Spread on a baking sheet to cool.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll smaller piece of dough into a 12-inch round, about 1/8 inch thick. With a dry pastry brush, brush off any excess flour. Gently press into a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Add filling, and spread evenly.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out remaining piece of dough to an 1/8-inch-thickness. Cut into strips, 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide. Weave the strips forming a lattice top over the filling. Press edges to seal. Trim dough flush with the tart pan.
• Brush tart evenly with egg. Bake until crust is golden brown and filling is heated through, 35 to 45 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.

GARLIC AND OIL SAUTEED ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a small, heavy saucepan over medium-low heat. Add garlic and barely simmer until garlic is just beginning to brown. Remove and discard garlic. Pour oil into a clean container and reserve.
• Remove any tough outer or damaged leaves from the escarole. Cut off the tough root end and tear leaves into large pieces. Wash well in a sink filled with cold water. Shake off excess water. In a deep saucepan with cold water to cover by about 2 inches, boil escarole for about 5 minutes over high heat. Remove from heat and drain in a colander. Immediately place escarole in cold water to cover, stopping the cooking process. When escarole is cool, drain well in a colander and pat dry.
• TO MAKE GARLIC AND OIL SAUTE()EED ESCAROLE: Heat oil in a large, heavy sauteG pan over medium heat. Add garlic. Stir in the escarole and sauteG for 3 minutes or until hot. Season with salt and pepper and serve.