Active Time: N/ATotal Time25 MIN
Yield: Serves : 4
A trio of chicories—crimson-edged radicchio, slender Belgian endive, and leafy escarole—composes this late-winter salad from Melissa Hamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer. The vinaigrette is based on salmorejo, a sherry vinegar–laced tomato soup from southern Spain. We garnish the salad just like the soup, with thin slices of serrano ham and hard-boiled eggs.Slideshow: More Salad Recipes
Ingredients
VINAIGRETTE:
- 1/2 cup tomato passata or canned crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 4 jarred piquillo peppers, drained
- 4 oil-packed anchovy fillets
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
CROUTONS:
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 (3/4-inch-thick) country bread slices, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
- Kosher salt
SALAD:
- 1 medium head radicchio, leaves torn into 1 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 medium head Belgian endive, trimmed, leaves separated
- 3 cups small escarole leaves (from 1 head), torn into 1 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 8 thin slices serrano ham or prosciutto, torn into wide pieces
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and quartered, for garnish (optional)
How to Make It
Step 1
Make the vinaigrette: Puree passata, vinegar, piquillos, anchovies, garlic, and sugar in a blender until smooth, about 15 seconds. With blender running, slowly drizzle oil into blender to emulsify. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Step 2
Make the croutons: Heat oil in a medium-size heavy skillet over medium. Add garlic; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Discard garlic. Add bread cubes; cook, stirring often, until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Transfer croutons to a paper towel–lined plate and season with salt; set aside.
Step 3
Make the salad: Toss radicchio, endive, escarole, and 2 tablespoons oil in a bowl; season with salt and pepper. Spread 3/4 cup vinaigrette on a platter. Pile salad leaves on top; spoon vinaigrette over salad, if desired. Arrange ham around salad; top with croutons. Drizzle with remaining 1 teaspoon oil. Garnish with hard-boiled eggs, if desired.
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