Welcome to my blog, fellow food enthusiasts! Today, we are diving into the world of escarole and exploring some of the best recipes that feature this vibrant and versatile leafy green. Whether you're a seasoned escarole aficionado or new to this delightful ingredient, get ready to discover a range of mouthwatering dishes that will take your taste buds on a tantalizing journey.
From soups and salads to stir-fries and pastas, escarole's unique flavor and texture add a delightful twist to any meal. So, let's roll up our sleeves, grab our aprons, and get ready to explore the best escarole recipes out there!
1. Sauteed Escarole
Mom's Sauteed Escarole is a flavorful and delicious vegetable side dish that complements any meat or seafood entree. Sauteed with garlic, olive oil, kalamata olives, and capers, this escarole dish is easy to prepare and cooks up quickly.
The escarole wilts to a tender texture and is seasoned with salt and pepper. It pairs well with fried foods and other main dishes. Overall, Mom's Sauteed Escarole is a simple yet tasty way to enjoy this healthy green vegetable.
2. Escarole Soup
Escarole soup is a hearty and comforting Italian dish that combines bitter escarole greens, flavorful sausage, creamy white beans, and pasta in a garlicky broth. It's a simple and satisfying one-pot meal that is perfect for weeknight dinners.
The addition of fresh lemon juice adds a bright and refreshing touch to balance the savory flavors. Overall, escarole soup is a delicious and wholesome recipe that is sure to warm you up on a cold day.
3. Escarole and Bean Soup
Escarole and Bean Soup is a nourishing and comforting dish that can be prepared in under an hour. This soup combines the flavors of pancetta, onion, garlic, cannellini beans, potatoes, and escarole in a tasty broth.
It is best served with a side of crusty bread, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino Romano cheese. Overall, this recipe is easy to make, customizable, and budget-friendly, making it a delicious and satisfying option for soup lovers.
4. Tuscan Bean Escarole Soup
Tuscan Bean Escarole Soup is a quick and hearty Italian soup made with tender escarole, white beans, and parmesan cheese. It's a simple and comforting dish that can be prepared in minutes. The soup is flavorful and satisfying, perfect for a chilly day or when you're craving a cup of soup.
The combination of garlic-y chicken broth, escarole, and beans creates a delicious and nutritious meal. Serve it with a drizzle of olive oil, grated parmesan cheese, and crushed red pepper for added flavor. Overall, Tuscan Bean Escarole Soup is an easy and delicious option for a quick dinner or lunch.
5. Italian Sautéed Escarole
Italian Sautéed Escarole is a delicious and festive side dish that features the flavors of Naples. This vegan recipe combines escarole with olive oil, garlic, raisins, and pine nuts for a sweet and savory combination. The escarole is briefly blanched to reduce bitterness before being sautéed.
This dish can be served warm or at room temperature and pairs well with seafood or meat dishes. The leftovers can also be used in omelettes. Overall, Italian Sautéed Escarole is a flavorful and versatile recipe that is worth trying.
6. White Beans and Escarole
White Beans and Escarole is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines cannellini beans, escarole, garlic, and red pepper flakes. It is served as a stew-like dish with a creamy texture, perfect for spooning over crunchy bread.
The escarole adds a bittersweet flavor that becomes milder when cooked. This recipe is easy to make and a great option for a main dish, side, or appetizer.
7. Escarole Salad
Escarole Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that highlights the delicate bitterness of young escarole leaves. The zingy Caesar-like dressing, with ingredients like anchovies, garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and Parmesan, adds richness, acidity, and umami flavors to complement the escarole.
The salad is best served with freshly grated Parmesan on top for an extra touch of indulgence. Overall, Escarole Salad is a perfect choice for those looking for a light and vibrant salad option.
8. Escarole and White Bean Soup
Escarole and White Bean Soup is a comforting and delicious Italian dish that combines the bitterness of escarole with the creaminess of white beans. The soup is made with sautéed onions, garlic, and celery, simmered in vegetable stock until the vegetables are soft.
Cooked white beans are then added, followed by coarsely chopped escarole, which adds a hint of sweetness and crispiness to the soup. This hearty and healthy soup is perfect for a cozy meal, and can be garnished with fresh parsley, grated cheese, and a squeeze of lemon juice for added flavor.
9. Escarole and Chickpea Soup with Garlic Toast
Escarole and Chickpea Soup with Garlic Toast is a healthy and filling vegetarian soup that is quick, cheap, and easy to make. It combines the flavors of escarole, chickpeas, and garlic toast for a comforting and satisfying meal. The addition of Parmesan cheese rind adds a delicious savory flavor to the soup.
This recipe can be easily customized by swapping the chickpeas for white beans or using any leafy green vegetable instead of escarole. Overall, this soup is a delicious and nutritious option for a quick and budget-friendly meal.
10. Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with Escarole
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with Escarole is a quick and easy pasta dish that combines the flavors of garlic, anchovies, and red pepper flakes with the freshness of escarole.
The dish is simple yet flavorful, making it a perfect weeknight dinner option. The addition of grated cheese adds a creamy and savory touch to the dish. Overall, this recipe is a delicious way to enjoy healthy greens in a satisfying pasta dish.
11. Italian Greens and Beans
Italian Greens and Beans is a simple and comforting soup made with escarole, cannellini beans, and a flavorful broth. The bitter and flavorful escarole pairs perfectly with the creamy beans, creating a satisfying and delicious dish.
This recipe is easy to make and can be adjusted with your favorite add-ins. Overall, Italian Greens and Beans is a must-try recipe for escarole lovers.
12. Italian Beans and Greens (Escarole)
Italian Beans and Greens (Escarole) is a classic Italian recipe that combines white beans and leafy greens in a stew-like dish. It is a hearty and comforting vegetarian meal that pairs perfectly with crusty bread.
The creamy cannellini beans and the flavors of the escarole create a delicious and satisfying combination. This recipe is a must-try for anyone looking for a healthy and flavorful dish.
13. Escarole with Olives and Capers
Escarole with Olives and Capers is a mouthwatering side dish inspired by the flavors of the Italian Amalfi coast. This vegan and gluten-free recipe features blanched escarole cooked with olive oil, garlic, capers, and oil cured black olives.
The combination of bitter greens, briny olives, and tangy capers creates a delicious and healthy dish that brings a taste of the Amalfi Coast to your home.
14. Creamy Escarole and Bean Soup
Creamy Escarole and Bean Soup is a delicious vegan soup recipe that uses tahini to add a creamy texture. The soup is made with fennel, butter beans, and escarole, creating a flavorful and hearty dish.
The addition of tahini gives it a unique twist and adds a rich and creamy element. This recipe is easy to make and requires only a few ingredients. It is a great option for those looking for a non-dairy and vegan soup option.
15. Rigatoni with Sausage and Escarole
Rigatoni with Sausage and Escarole is a flavorful and budget-friendly pasta dish. The combination of Italian sausage, chickpeas, and escarole creates a delicious and satisfying meal.
The pasta water adds a unique element to the sauce, making it rich and flavorful. This recipe is a great way to incorporate escarole into your cooking and is sure to please your taste buds.
16. Endive and Escarole Salad with Olive Vinaigrette
The Endive and Escarole Salad with Olive Vinaigrette is a satisfying and memorable dish that can be enjoyed as a light lunch or as a starter for a dinner party. The combination of escarole, frisée, and Belgian endive creates a delightful mix of textures and flavors.
The olive vinaigrette, infused with anchovy and Kalamata olives, adds a tangy and savory element to the salad. The addition of toasted baguette slices provides a nice crunch. Overall, this salad is a refreshing and delicious way to enjoy escarole.
17. Instant Pot Bean & Escarole Soup
The Instant Pot Bean & Escarole Soup is a delicious and comforting Italian classic. Loaded with beans, greens, and optional sausage and Parmesan, this soup is both tasty and satisfying. With just 9 simple ingredients, it's easy to make in the Instant Pot.
The combination of escarole, beans, and flavorful broth creates a hearty and flavorful soup. Whether you choose to add the sausage and Parmesan or not, this soup is sure to please your taste buds.
18. Italian Beans and Greens with Escarole
Italian Beans and Greens with Escarole is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines the bitterness of escarole with the creaminess of white beans. The recipe allows for flexibility in choosing other greens and beans, making it versatile and adaptable to personal preferences.
The addition of olive oil, parmesan, and crusty Italian bread enhances the dish, creating a satisfying and complete meal. Overall, this recipe is a delicious way to enjoy escarole and is worth trying for those looking for a comforting and nutritious dish.
19. Utica Greens
Utica Greens is a traditional dish from Upstate New York, specifically Utica, and is a favorite among Italian-Americans in the area. This side dish features escarole, hot cherry peppers, and garlic, giving it a spicy and flavorful kick.
Topped with breadcrumbs and cheese, it is broiled to perfection, resulting in a crispy and cheesy finish. Utica Greens is a fantastic accompaniment to any meal and showcases the rich culinary heritage of the region.
20. Chickpea and Escarole Soup
Chickpea and Escarole Soup is a simple and flavorful "beans and greens" preparation. The escarole adds a nice texture to the soup, absorbing the flavors while still maintaining its presence. The combination of chickpeas, sautéed onion, and parmesan rind creates a delicious broth.
Serving it with toasted bread and cracked black pepper adds a delightful crunch and extra flavor. Overall, this soup is a satisfying and comforting dish that highlights the versatility of escarole.
21. Garlicky Salmon Pasta with Escarole
Garlicky Salmon Pasta with Escarole is a flavorful and satisfying dish that combines the richness of salmon with the bitterness of escarole. The garlicky flavors and the addition of crushed red pepper add a nice kick to the dish.
The toasted sesame seeds on top provide a delightful crunch. Overall, it's a delicious and easy-to-make recipe that is perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.
