Refreshing Escarole Salad with Bubbly Champagne Vinaigrette
Welcome to my kitchen, where I’m serving up a delicious escarole salad recipe with champagne vinaigrette! This dish is perfect for those who crave something light and refreshing yet still flavorful. Plus, it’s packed with wholesome ingredients that can satisfy anyone’s taste buds.
Escarole is the star of this salad, adding a slightly bitter flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of the apples and pecans. Then we have the dressing: a homemade champagne vinaigrette that complements the salad with tangy and zesty notes, creating the perfect balance of flavors.
As a sommelier, I always think about how to pair dishes with wine. For this escarole salad, I’d suggest a crisp white wine or champagne to bring out the fresh flavors of the lettuce and apples.
So come join me in the kitchen, get your ingredients ready, and let’s create a delicious feast for your senses. Trust me; you won’t regret trying this escarole salad with champagne vinaigrette recipe!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you tired of the same old boring salads? Look no further than this Escarole Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette Recipe! This salad takes mundane greens to a whole new level with its combination of textures and flavors.
The bitterness of the escarole is perfectly balanced by the sweetness of crisp apple and nutty pecans. The vinaigrette is light and tangy, showcasing the elegant flavor of champagne vinegar.
Not only is this recipe delicious, but it is also incredibly versatile. It can be served as a side dish or a main course by adding protein such as smoked trout, chicken, or shrimp. Additionally, substitutions and variations can be made based on personal preference or dietary restrictions.
This recipe also offers health benefits by incorporating nutrient-rich ingredients such as escarole, apples, and pecans. The light dressing allows the natural flavors to shine without weighing down the dish with excess calories.
So impress your dinner guests or treat yourself to a creative and healthy meal with this Escarole Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette Recipe. It’s sure to become a staple in your recipe collection for years to come!
Ingredient List
Here’s what you need to make this Escarole Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette recipe:
Salad
- 1 head of escarole, washed and torn into bite-sized pieces.
- 1 Belgian endive, sliced thinly.
- 1 apple, thinly sliced.
- ½ cup pecans halves, toasted.
Champagne Vinaigrette
- 2 tbsp champagne vinegar, or white wine vinegar.
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice.
- 2 tbsp minced shallot.
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard.
- 1/4 tsp salt and freshly ground pepper.
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil.
These ingredients will result in a delicious and refreshing salad that serves four as a side dish. You can adjust the recipe based on the size of your salad party or how many servings you’d like.
The Recipe How-To
Now it’s time to put all of these fresh and flavorful ingredients together for the perfect escarole salad with champagne vinaigrette. Follow these simple steps to create a delicious and impressive dish.
Ingredients
- 1 head of escarole, chopped
- 1/2 cup of pecan halves
- 1 apple, chopped
- 2 tablespoons of champagne vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and ground pepper to taste
- 1 tsp of lemon zest
Instructions
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In a large bowl, combine the escarole, pecans, and chopped apples.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the champagne vinegar, Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon zest until well combined.
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Pour the vinaigrette over the salad mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.
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Serve in a large serving bowl and enjoy your refreshing escarole salad with champagne vinaigrette!
Tips for Perfect Results
- For even more flavor, try adding some crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese to your salad.
- To make this dish ahead of time, simply store the salad ingredients separately from the dressing in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Then toss everything together when you’re ready to eat.
- If you don’t have champagne vinegar on hand, feel free to substitute with white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar.
Now that you know how to make this delicious salad recipe, you’ll want to enjoy it with many different dishes. Keep reading on (6) Serving and Pairing section for some great pairing ideas!
Substitutions and Variations
One of the great things about making salad recipes is that there are endless possibilities for substitutions and variations. If you’re missing an ingredient or looking to switch things up, here are some ideas to get you started:
– Greens: While escarole is the star of this recipe, you could use other bitter greens like endive or radicchio, or even swap in mixed baby greens for a milder flavor.
– Nuts: Pecans add great crunch to this salad, but you could also use walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts for a different flavor and texture.
– Cheese: A crumbly cheese like blue cheese or goat cheese would be a nice addition to this salad. Or, for a vegan option, try sprinkling on some nutritional yeast.
– Dressing: This recipe calls for a champagne vinaigrette, but you could experiment with other dressings like balsamic vinaigrette or lemon vinaigrette.
– Fruit: This salad would pair nicely with fresh sliced apples or pears, but you could also try adding in some dried cranberries, apricots, or figs.
– Protein: To make this salad more filling, consider adding some grilled chicken or shrimp. For a vegetarian option, you could try adding crispy tofu or tempeh.
Whatever substitutions or variations you choose to make to this escarole salad with champagne vinaigrette recipe, keep in mind that the beauty of salads is their versatility. Don’t be afraid to play around with flavors and textures until you find the combination that’s just right for you.
Serving and Pairing
This escarole salad with champagne vinaigrette is a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer or a light lunch. The tangy champagne vinaigrette pairs perfectly with the slightly bitter escarole, and the sweet pecans add a delightful crunch to each bite.
To serve, simply toss the escarole with the vinaigrette in a large bowl and plate it up. This salad is perfect for serving alongside smoked trout or Belgian endive for an elegant dinner party, and it pairs beautifully with a glass of white wine or even a crisp champagne.
For something lighter, try adding shredded chicken or thinly sliced prosciutto to turn this salad into a satisfying main course. It’s also lovely when paired with fruit, so consider serving it alongside apple or peach salads for an extra burst of flavor.
Overall, this escarole salad with champagne vinaigrette is a sophisticated and healthy dish that’s great for any occasion. So go ahead, grab your favorite bottle of bubbles and indulge in this deliciously refreshing salad!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
This Escarole Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette recipe can be easily made ahead for busy weeknight dinners or special occasions. The vinaigrette can be prepared up to a week in advance and kept in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use. Just give it a quick shake or whisk before serving.
The salad ingredients can also be prepped ahead of time and stored separately in airtight containers in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve the salad, simply toss everything together with the vinaigrette.
Leftover salad can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. However, I would recommend storing the vinaigrette separately from the salad to prevent it from getting soggy.
If you need to reheat any cooked components of the salad, such as pecans, simply place them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until they’re warmed through and crispy again.
When reheating wilted escarole or butter lettuce, I usually avoid using the microwave since these greens tend to get mushy when heated. Instead, try to reheat them by gently wilting them in a skillet with some olive oil or butter.
Overall, this recipe is very forgiving when it comes to make-ahead preparation and reheating, making it a great option for busy hosts or those who want to enjoy leftovers of this delicious escarole salad.
Tips for Perfect Results
To ensure that your escarole salad with champagne vinaigrette recipe turns out perfectly, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
First and foremost, make sure that your escarole is fresh and crisp. It should be bright green and free of any wilting or yellowing leaves. If your escarole has any bruised spots or browning edges, remove them before making the salad.
When it comes to toasting the pecans, be sure to keep a close eye on them in the oven. They can go from perfectly toasted to burnt in a matter of seconds. I recommend setting a timer for three minutes and checking on them frequently until they are golden brown.
For the champagne vinaigrette, use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. This includes using the best champagne vinegar you can find and a high-quality extra-virgin olive oil.
If you’re short on time, you can make the vinaigrette ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
When cutting the apples for the salad, I recommend using a sharp knife or an apple corer to avoid bruising or damaging the fruit. And if you prefer your apples peeled, go ahead and peel them before slicing.
Finally, when serving the salad, I like to toss the escarole and vinaigrette together in a large bowl before transferring it to a serving dish. This helps to ensure that every bite is evenly coated in dressing.
By following these tips, you’ll be sure to have a delicious and impressive escarole salad with champagne vinaigrette that will take your next dinner party or weeknight meal up a notch.
FAQ
Now that we have covered all the details of the Escarole Salad With Champagne Vinaigrette Recipe, let’s answer some frequently asked questions to make sure you have all the information you need to create a delicious and satisfying dish.
What is champagne vinaigrette made of?
To create a tangy dressing that is perfect for salads or roasted vegetables, one can easily make a champagne vinaigrette at home. This dressing is composed of ingredients such as olive oil, champagne vinegar, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, shallot, honey, salt, and pepper. Simply whisking all these ingredients together will result to a flavorful vinaigrette that adds depth to any dish.
Who makes champagne salad dressing?
Six cases of 12-ounce Briannas Champagne Caper Vinaigrette Dressing are available.
What is champagne vinegar good with?
As a sommelier, I highly recommend using champagne vinegar to add an extra zing to your chicken, fish or shrimp marinades. However, when it comes to heavier red meats, this type of vinegar may not be the best fit due to its light flavor. On the flip side, its delicate taste is a great match for fruity dishes like fruit salads and salsas.
How do you make champagne vinegar?
To transform Champagne into vinegar, one should pour it into a glass container with a wide opening, cover it with plastic wrap, and create a few holes on the surface of the wrap. By letting the Champagne rest at room temperature for about four to six weeks, the air’s natural spores will work its magic and convert the Champagne into vinegar.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this Escarole Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette recipe is simply exquisite. It’s light, refreshing, and packed with flavor. The combination of pecans, apples, and escarole creates a delicious balance between the sweet and bitter flavors while the champagne vinaigrette adds a delightful tanginess to the salad.
This salad not only tastes amazing but it also looks stunning. With its vibrant colors and textures, it will surely add a touch of elegance to any table.
What makes this recipe even better is that it’s incredibly easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can create a fancy restaurant-worthy salad in the comfort of your own home.
Whether you want to impress guests at a dinner party or simply treat yourself to a delicious yet healthy meal, this Escarole Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette recipe is one that you should definitely try. So go ahead and give it a shot – your taste buds will thank you!
Escarole Salad With Champagne Vinaigrette Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 1/4 tablespoons champagne vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons shallots, finely minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 head escarole, clean, dried, and torn into pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325ºF. Line a baking sheet with foil. Spread pecans evenly over baking sheet in a single layer. Toast until pecans become fragrant, 5-7 minute Do not let burn. Remove from baking sheet and chop nuts in 1/2. Set aside.
- In small container with lid, combine vinegar, oil, mustard, shallots, salt, and pepper. Secure and shake until emulsified and well blended.
- Add escarole to large salad bowl. Drizzle dressing to toss. Sprinkle pecans over salad.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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