Colorful Chicory Salad With Anchovy Dressing

Colorful Chicory Salad With Anchovy Dressing

The Italian chicory called radicchio comes in many guises. The round-headed radicchio di Chioggia is the most commonly known here, but the others, like the elongated Treviso and the curly fingered Tardivo are increasingly available. They sport shades of red, from burgundy to crimson to oxblood. The chicory family is a large one, though, and other members come in other colors, such as the fetchingly speckled yellow-cast Castelfranco; pale green broad-leafed escarole; curly endive or pointy-leaved Belgian endives, which are ivory or pink. All feature a pleasantly bittersweet flavor and require a somewhat assertive vinaigrette. Use only one type of chicory if you wish, but a colorful mixture of many kinds is a sight to behold.
  • Total:
  • Serves: 4 persons

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1

    Tear radicchio or Castelfranco leaves into rough 2-inch pieces; slice any other chicories into 2-inch-wide ribbons. Put the leaves in a salad bowl.
  2. Step 2

    Make the dressing: Combine the garlic, anchovy, mustard, vinegar and lemon juice in a small bowl. Add 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and a generous amount of pepper. Whisk in the olive oil. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  3. Step 3

    Make the salad: Sprinkle the chicory leaves with a pinch of salt and add 3 tablespoons dressing. Toss well, making sure all leaves are coated lightly. Taste a leaf and add more dressing as needed. Add croutons and grated cheese before serving.