Bitter Greens Cheesy Twist Salad

Ingredients

Estimated total cost: €10.45 · €1.74/serving

• 3 tablespoons of exquisite red wine vinegarEst. price €0.18–€0.45
• Premium extra-virgin olive oilEst. price €0.10–€0.30
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to tasteEst. price €0.02–€0.08
• 1 large head of vibrant radicchio (3/4 pound), carefully cored and coarsely shredded (soak in ice water to enhance crispness)Est. price €2.50–€4.50
• 5 ounces of peppery arugulaEst. price €2.00–€3.50
• 1/4 pound of luscious Crucolo, provolone, Taleggio, or Fontina cheese, finely gratedEst. price €3.00–€5.50
• 1/2 cup of roughly chopped lightly toasted hazelnuts (toast in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until fragrant)Est. price €2.50–€4.00
• Saba or aged balsamic vinegar, for a delightful drizzleEst. price €0.15–€0.40

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the broiler to its highest setting.

2. 2

   In a large bowl, combine 1/4 cup of olive oil with red wine vinegar, whisking until well blended. Season the mixture generously with salt and pepper. Add the radicchio and arugula to the bowl, tossing them gently to ensure they are evenly coated. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning as needed before serving.

3. 3

   Arrange the salad on oven-safe plates or a heatproof platter, then place the cheese on top. Place it under the broiler until the cheese is melted, which should take around 1 minute. Once melted, sprinkle the toasted hazelnuts over the salad and drizzle with saba. Serve immediately to enjoy at its best.

Full steps, exact amounts, and Cook Mode are available after sign-in.

• Cultural note

  The use of premium ingredients like Crucolo, provolone, Taleggio, or Fontina cheese and saba or aged balsamic vinegar reflects the Italian influence in this dish. Bitter greens are commonly used in Italian cuisine for their bold flavors and digestive properties.

• Seasonal note

  Bitter greens like radicchio and arugula are at their best in the cooler months of fall and winter, making this salad ideal for those seasons. Hazelnuts also peak in availability during the fall.

• Health note

  This salad is a good source of vitamins A and K, important for eye health and blood clotting, respectively. It is high in protein and healthy fats from the cheese and olive oil, but watch out for the saturated fat content.