Escarole Caesar Salad

Sam Mogannam loves to use the pale-green and yellow escarole leaves for salads. He saves the dark outer leaves and sautés them with garlic or tosses them into a pot of chicken soup.

Escarole Caesar Salad
Photo: © David L. Reamer
Total Time:
30 mins
Yield:
10

Ingredients

  • 4 cups 1/2-inch-cube crustless white bread

  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

  • 4 garlic cloves, minced

  • 6 oil-packed anchovies, drained and minced

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise

  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

  • 5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

  • 5 medium heads of escarole (about 1 1/2 pounds total)—dark outer leaves reserved, the rest torn into bite-size pieces

  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for garnish

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°. In a large bowl, gently toss the bread cubes with 3 tablespoons of the olive oil. Season with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper and toss again. Spread the bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast, stirring occasionally, until golden and crisp, about 10 minutes. Let cool.

  2. On a work surface, combine the garlic and anchovies. Using the flat side of a chef's knife, mash the mixture to a paste. Transfer the paste to a small bowl and whisk in the mayonnaise, mustard and lemon juice. Gradually whisk in the remaining 7 tablespoons of olive oil.

  3. In a large bowl, toss the escarole with the croutons and half of the Caesar dressing. Add the 1 cup of grated cheese and toss again. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with a little more cheese and serve, passing the remaining dressing at the table.

Make Ahead

The Caesar dressing can be refrigerated overnight. Whisk to blend before using.

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