Best 8 Escarole Gratin Recipes

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Escarole gratin is a classic Italian dish that combines the bitter flavors of escarole with a creamy béchamel sauce and a crispy breadcrumb topping. Its versatility as a side dish makes it a popular choice for both casual and formal dining experiences. This beloved dish traces its origins to Italian culinary traditions, particularly in the southern region of Campania. While preparing the dish is relatively easy, the true art lies in selecting fresh, high-quality ingredients that enhance the delicate flavors of escarole. This article will guide you through the steps to create an exceptional escarole gratin, ensuring a delightful culinary journey that captures the essence of Italian cuisine.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

ESCAROLE GRATIN



Escarole Gratin image

Sturdy escarole can stand up to casserole treatment. Prepare to battle it out for the addictive breadcrumb topping.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Main Dish Recipes     Casserole Recipes

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 large heads escarole, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium shallot, minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
1 cup whole milk
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 slices white bread, crusts removed, torn into large pieces

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place a colander in a large bowl. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. In 2 batches, cook escarole until tender, 7 minutes, then drain in a colander, pressing with a spatula to squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
  • In a small saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium. Cook shallot and garlic until tender, 4 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Whisking constantly, add milk and cook, whisking, until mixture comes to a boil and thickens, 2 minutes. Remove from heat, season with salt and pepper, and stir in escarole. Pour mixture into a 1-quart baking dish.
  • In a food processor, pulse bread until coarse crumbs form; transfer to a small bowl. Melt 1 tablespoon butter and pour over breadcrumbs, stirring to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Top escarole with breadcrumbs and bake until golden brown and bubbling, 15 to 20 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 183 g, Fat 9 g, Fiber 8 g, Protein 7 g, SaturatedFat 5 g

BAKED FARFALLE WITH ESCAROLE AND ZUCCHINI



Baked Farfalle With Escarole and Zucchini image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h20m

Yield 6-8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Kosher salt
1 pound farfalle
2 tablespoons extra-virigin olive oil, plus more for brushing
4 cloves garlic, sliced
Pinch of red pepper flakes
1 28-ounce can plum tomatoes
1 15-ounce can plum tomatoes
4 large sprigs basil, plus 1 cup chopped fresh basil
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 cups chopped escarole, sauteed
1 1/2 cups sliced zucchini, sauteed
3 cups shredded Italian fontina cheese
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the farfalle until very al dente, 2 to 3 minutes less than the label directs; drain.
  • Meanwhile, make the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until the garlic is golden. Crush the plum tomatoes into the skillet with your hands; rinse out each can with 1/2 cup water and add the water to the skillet. Add the basil sprigs; simmer, uncovered, until the sauce is thickened, 15 minutes. Discard the basil; season the sauce with salt. (Alternatively, heat 4 cups prepared tomato sauce.)
  • Stir the chopped basil and parsley into the sauce, then add the escarole and zucchini.
  • Brush a 3-to-4-quart baking dish with olive oil. Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce and half of each cheese. Spread in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the pasta. Bake, uncovered, until browned, about 15 minutes. Let rest 15 minutes before serving.

ESCAROLE SICILIANO



Escarole Siciliano image

This lemony salad is served hot from the wok. Escarole is a bitter green, but can be less so when grown shielded from the sun. In general, lighter green leaves indicate a milder flavor. Thinly sliced tomatoes are a great accompaniment. This recipe can be doubled. For a larger party, cook in batches.

Provided by Charlie

Categories     Salad     Green Salad Recipes

Time 15m

Yield 3

Number Of Ingredients 7

3 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium heads escarole - rinsed, dried and chopped
½ cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons capers
1 pinch salt
10 kalamata olives
ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a wok over high heat. Add escarole; cook and stir until greens begin to wilt. Stir in lemon juice. Add capers, salt, and olives; cook and stir for another 15 seconds. Season with black pepper to taste. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 224.1 calories, Carbohydrate 16.4 g, Fat 17.5 g, Fiber 11 g, Protein 4.8 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, Sodium 449.6 mg, Sugar 1.9 g

ESCARGOTS GRATINéS



Escargots Gratinés image

A special recipe for Escargots Bouguigon fans. These are the best escargots.(snails) I found this recipe in a Québec site and it changes the rubbery texture you get with canned escargots. Chose the smaller escagots(36-40)..much better. This is an appetizer for for 4 or a main course for 2.Add a chopped shallot and parsley to the buttter

Provided by Sageca

Categories     Canadian

Time 50m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (4 ounce) can escargot (medium)
1 (10 ounce) can consomme
1 bay leaf
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 cup butter
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese or 1 cup swiss cheese

Steps:

  • Drain and rinse the escargots.
  • Put escargots, bay leaf and consommé in sauce pan.
  • Simmer for 40 minutes without covering.
  • Drain the escargots.
  • Meanwhile melt butter and add the crushed garlic; set aside.
  • Spoon escargots in garlic butter and let rest 2 hours on counter.
  • Place escargots in each hole of escargot dish.
  • Spoon on garlic butter.
  • Cover with grated cheese.
  • Set under broiler for 5 minutes.
  • Serve with toasts.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 325.6, Fat 29.7, SaturatedFat 18.4, Cholesterol 97.3, Sodium 861.2, Carbohydrate 2.5, Fiber 0.1, Sugar 0.3, Protein 12.9

BRAISED ESCAROLE WITH GARLIC AND LEMON



Braised Escarole with Garlic and Lemon image

Provided by Tyler Florence

Categories     side-dish

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 head escarole, about 1 pound
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves, sliced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 bay leaves
1/2 lemon, cut in thin slices
2 cups water or chicken broth
Pinch sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Break off the leaves of the escarole and wash them individually, taking care to remove any soil at the base of the stems. Shake the leaves dry, stack them up, and slice the escarole crosswise into ribbons about 1 1/2-inches wide.
  • Place a large deep skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil and butter. Toss in the garlic, red pepper flakes, bay leaves, and lemon slices; cook and stir for a couple of minutes, tossing to combine. Nestle the escarole into the pan and saute until it begins to wilt and shrink down, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle the escarole with a pinch of sugar and season with salt and pepper. Pour in the water and cover the pan. Simmer for 20 minutes until the escarole is tender.

GREENS AND BULGUR GRATIN



Greens and Bulgur Gratin image

Categories     Leafy Green     Side     Bake     High Fiber     Casserole/Gratin     Mozzarella     Parmesan     Gourmet     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Serves 4 as a main course or 6 as a side dish

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 cup coarse bulgur*
2 pounds assorted greens such as kale, collard, escarole, spinach,Swiss chard, and/or mustard greens
6 large garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan (about 1 ounce)
6 ounces chilled whole-milk or part-skim mozzarella, grated coarse
For topping
1/2 cup fine fresh bread crumbs
1 tablespoon olive oil
*available at natural foods stores and specialty foods shops

Steps:

  • In a heatproof bowl pour enough boiling water over bulgur to cover by 1 inch. Cover bowl with a plate to trap steam and let stand 20 minutes. Drain bulgur in a large fine sieve, pressing out excess liquid, and transfer to a bowl.
  • Keeping each variety of green separate, tear greens into bite-size pieces, discarding stems. Still keeping greens separate, wash thoroughly by dunking in a sinkful of water and transfer to a colander to drain.
  • Put coarser greens (kale or collard) in a 4 1/2- to 5-quart kettle and steam in water clinging to leaves, covered, over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until wilted, about 4 minutes. Add delicate greens (escarole, spinach, Swiss chard, and/or mustard) to coarse greens and steam, covered, stirring occasionally, until just wilted, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain greens in colander, pressing out excess liquid.
  • In a large heavy skillet cook garlic in oil over moderate heat,stirring, until softened but not golden. Stir in greens and bulgur and season generously with salt and pepper. Stir in Parmesan and remove skillet from heat.
  • Preheat oven to 400°F. and lightly oil a 1 1/2-quart gratin dish or other shallow baking dish.
  • Spread half of greens mixture in dish and sprinkle evenly with mozzarella. Spread remaining greens mixture over mozzarella and smooth top with a rubber spatula. Gratin may be prepared up to this point 8 hours ahead and chilled, covered.
  • Make topping:
  • In a small bowl with a fork stir together bread crumbs and oil until crumbs are evenly moistened.
  • Sprinkle topping over greens mixture and bake in middle of oven 30 minutes, or until bubbling and top is browned lightly.

ESCAROLE WITH GARLIC AND OIL



Escarole With Garlic and Oil image

Provided by Pierre Franey

Categories     easy, quick, side dish

Time 15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 1/2 pounds escarole
Salt to taste, if desired
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • Pull the leaves of the escarole apart. Trim off the ends and cut out the core. Rinse well and shake off the excess water.
  • Drop the escarole into boiling water with salt to taste. Simmer until the escarole is tender, about five minutes.
  • Drain well. Squeeze to extract excess liquid.
  • Heat the oil in a skillet and add the garlic. Cook until the garlic starts to brown (do not let it brown or it will become bitter). Add the escarole, stirring it around so that it heats evenly. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 123, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 8 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 425 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams

ESCAROLE WITH GARLIC



Escarole With Garlic image

Provided by Robert Farrar Capon

Categories     easy, quick, side dish

Time 15m

Yield 2 to 3 servings

Number Of Ingredients 4

4 cups washed escarole, chopped coarse
1/4 cup olive oil, or butter
1 large clove garlic, minced
Salt and pepper as desired

Steps:

  • Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a deep pot. Drop the escarole into the water all at once. Stir until it is submerged and allow the water to come back to a boil. Cook 1 to 2 minutes and remove the pot to the sink. Run cold water into the pot to stop the cooking and pour the escarole into a colander to drain. Press out excess moisture and reserve.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and saute the garlic in it until softened but not browned, about 1 minute. Add the drained escarole, raise the heat and saute, stirring constantly, until just heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 183, UnsaturatedFat 15 grams, Carbohydrate 6 grams, Fat 18 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 326 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams

Tips:

  • Choose fresh escarole: Look for leaves that are crisp and brightly colored. Avoid any wilted or brown leaves.
  • Prepare the escarole properly: Wash the escarole thoroughly and remove any tough stems. Chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces.
  • Use a variety of cheeses: For a richer flavor, use a combination of cheeses, such as Parmesan, Gruyère, and mozzarella. You can also add crumbled bacon or chopped nuts for extra flavor.
  • Don't overcook the escarole: Escarole should be tender but still slightly crisp. Overcooking will make it mushy.
  • Serve immediately: Escarole gratin is best served hot out of the oven. It can be served as a main course or a side dish.

Conclusion:

Escarole gratin is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is a great way to use up leftover escarole, and it can be customized to your liking by adding different cheeses or toppings. Enjoy the delectable flavors of escarole gratin and feel free to experiment with various ingredients to create your own unique recipe!

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