Chicory Leaves With Salmorejo Vinaigrette

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 

Chicory Leaves with Salmorejo Vinaigrette
Photo: Hirsheimer and Hamilton
Total Time:
25 mins
Yield:
4
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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)

Directions

  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.

  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.

  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.

Originally appeared: March 2018

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