Grilled Escarole Recipes

GRILLED SALMON WITH CITRUS-FENNEL SALAD AND GRILLED ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Preheat a gas grill to medium-high or prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill.
• Brush both sides of the salmon with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the salmon, skin-side down, for 3 to 4 minutes with the gill lid closed. Open the grill, flip the salmon and cook and additional 3 to 4 minutes for medium doneness.
• Meanwhile, brush the escarole with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. On a slightly cooler area of the grill (medium heat) place the escarole cut-side down, and grill until it begins to char and the leaves have wilted, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, season with a squeeze of lemon juice; reserve.
• In a bowl, toss the fennel, fennel fronds, onions and orange segments together until combined. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice over the salad; season with salt and pepper and toss to combine.
• To serve, divide the grilled escarole among 4 plates. Lean a salmon filet on the escarole on each plate and top with the citrus-fennel salad.

GRILLED ROSEMARY PORK CHOPS WITH ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium high. Combine the beans, celery, red onion, vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium bowl; set aside.
• Drizzle the cut sides of the escarole with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Season both sides of the pork chops with salt, pepper and the chopped rosemary.
• Lightly oil the grill grates. Arrange the escarole and pork on the grill. Grill the escarole until charred in spots and wilted, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Grill the pork until well marked and just cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a baking sheet.
• Divide the pork and escarole among plates and drizzle with any juices from the baking sheet. Toss the bean mixture with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, season with salt and pepper and spoon over the escarole.

GRILLED SHRIMP AND ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium high. Toss the beans, roasted red peppers, scallion, vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a large bowl; set aside. Toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in another large bowl. Drizzle the cut sides of the escarole with 1 tablespoon olive oil; season with salt and pepper.
• Arrange the escarole, chorizo and shrimp on the grill. Grill the escarole, turning once, until charred in spots, 2 to 4 minutes; divide among plates. Grill the shrimp and chorizo, turning once, until cooked through, about 5 minutes for the shrimp and 10 minutes for the chorizo. Add the shrimp to the bean mixture. Transfer the chorizo to a cutting board and slice into 1-inch pieces; add to the bean mixture and toss.
• Spoon over the escarole; drizzle each serving with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle with paprika.

GRILLED ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Get your grill going. If you're using charcoal, you're looking for a not-too-hot fire (I like to think of the coals as being "soft," which is to say they should be halfway through burning). If you're using a gas grill, set the heat to medium. If you're using a grill pan indoors, set it over medium-low heat.
• Shake the escarole dry. Cut it lengthwise straight through the core into 4 wedges. Drizzle each wedge with plenty of olive oil, about 1 1/2 tablespoons per wedge, and season aggressively with salt. Grill the wedges, turning only once, until wilted and charred in spots, about 10 minutes altogether.
• Transfer the escarole to a serving platter, give it a healthy drizzle of olive oil, and scatter the olives over the top. Serve immediately.

GRILLED ESCAROLE CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• For the Caesar vinaigrette: Combine the Garlic Confit, vinegar, Parmigiano-Reggiano, salt, pepper, anchovies, egg yolk and 2 tablespoons water in a blender, then blend on medium speed until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the oil in a thin stream until it has been incorporated and the vinaigrette is creamy.
• Use immediately or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate. The vinaigrette will keep for up to 3 days.
• For the grilled escarole: Heat a grill for cooking over medium-high heat.
• Sprinkle escarole with salt and pepper. Put escarole cut-side down on grill and cook until grill marks form, about 1 minute. Remove from grill and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Transfer to a serving platter and toss with Caesar vinaigrette to taste.
• Place the garlic in a small saucepan and add enough oil to cover. Set the saucepan over low heat and cook until the garlic is soft and pale golden, 30 to 35 minutes. Let the garlic cool in the oil. Store garlic covered in the oil, adding more oil if necessary.

TUSCAN GRILLED PIZZA WITH ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Prepare a hot fire (475° to 500°F) in a wood-fired grill.
• Combine the garlic and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a small bowl and let stand for 30 minutes. Combine the mozzarella and fontina in a bowl.
• Heat a large skillet on the grill, add the pine nuts, and toast, stirring occasionally, until golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in the same pan over medium heat. Add the escarole and cook, stirring occasionally until it wilts, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the vinegar and red pepper flakes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside
• Divide the dough into 2 round pieces and form each into a ball. Do not work the dough too much. Roll one ball into a 10- to 11-inch round. Transfer to a lightly oiled baking sheet and brush the top of the dough with olive oil. Repeat with the second ball of dough.
• Take the dough and all of the toppings to the grill. Place one pizza round, oiled side down, on the grill. Cover the grill and cook for 5 minutes. Turn the pizza over and brush the marked side to within 1/2 inch of the edge with the garlic-infused oil. Move the pizza off direct heat. Sprinkle half of the combined cheeses on top of the oil. Top with half of the escarole, pine nuts, and olives, spreading evenly. Close the lid and bake until golden and crisp, about 7 minutes. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make a second pizza.
• In a bowl, combine the yeast, 1/4 cup of the warm water, and 1/4 cup of the flour in a small bowl. Let stand for 30 minutes. Add the remaining 1 3/4 cups flour, 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water, the olive oil, and salt. Mix the dough thoroughly. Turn out onto a floured board and knead until smooth, elastic and a bit tacky to the touch, 7 to 8 minutes. Place in an oiled bowl and turn to cover with oil. Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Or, let the dough rise in the refrigerator overnight. The next day, bring the dough to room temperature.