Best 3 Radicchio Lettuce Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Radicchio lettuce, also known as Italian chicory, is a unique and bitter leafy vegetable that adds a pop of color and flavor to salads, stir-fries, and grilled dishes. Its distinctive deep red leaves and slightly spicy taste make it a popular ingredient in both raw and cooked preparations. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy side dish or a more complex main course, radicchio lettuce offers a versatile culinary experience. From sautéing with garlic and olive oil to roasting with balsamic vinegar and honey, there's a recipe out there to suit every taste and skill level. This article will explore some of the best ways to cook radicchio lettuce, providing step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure a delicious and satisfying meal.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ROASTED LETTUCE, RADICCHIO, AND ENDIVE



Roasted Lettuce, Radicchio, and Endive image

A Sicilian grandmother taught me to make roasted lettuces this way. I like it for a change from serving cold salad. It is healthy and delicious! Most people like it served with crunchy bread. This also works very well with omelets in the morning or for brunch. Leftovers can be easily re-heated in the microwave.

Provided by Buckwheat Queen

Categories     Side Dish     Vegetables     Greens

Time 30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 heads radicchio, halved lengthwise
2 heads Belgian endive, halved lengthwise
1 head chicory (curly endive), halved lengthwise
1 head romaine lettuce, halved lengthwise
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
¾ cup pitted Greek olives
½ cup capers
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 ½ teaspoons ground thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground dried chile pepper
2 tablespoons grated Romano cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking dish with parchment paper.
  • Place radicchio, Belgian endive, chicory, and romaine lettuce halves in a single layer on the baking sheet. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of the olive oil on top.
  • Combine olives and capers in a small bowl. Mix oregano, thyme, salt, black pepper, and chile pepper in a small bowl to make spice mixture.
  • Stuff inner leaves with olives, capers, and spice mixture using your fingers. Wrap halves together with kitchen string to prevent stuffing from falling out. Drizzle remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil on top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until crispy and beginning to wilt, 10 to 15 minutes. Cut off kitchen string and sprinkle Romano cheese on top before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 192.4 calories, Carbohydrate 16.7 g, Cholesterol 2.6 mg, Fat 12.9 g, Fiber 10.8 g, Protein 6.3 g, SaturatedFat 2.1 g, Sodium 1108.6 mg, Sugar 1.8 g

ROASTED LETTUCE, RADICCHIO AND ENDIVE



ROASTED LETTUCE, RADICCHIO AND ENDIVE image

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 heads radicchio, halved lengthwise
2 heads Belgian endive, halved lengthwise
1 head chicory/curly endive, halved lengthwise
1 head romaine lettuce, halved lengthwise
3 tablespoons (divided) olive oil
3/4 cup Greek olives, pitted
1/2 cup capers
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons ground thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon (optional) ground dried chile pepper
2 tablespoons (optional) Romano cheese, grated

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking dish with parchment paper.
  • Place radicchio, Belgian endive, chicory, and romaine lettuce halves in a single layer on the baking sheet. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of the olive oil on top.
  • Combine olives and capers in a small bowl. Mix oregano, thyme, salt, black pepper, and chile pepper (optional) in a small bowl to make spice mixture.
  • Stuff inner leaves with olives, capers, and spice mixture using your fingers. Wrap halves together with kitchen string to prevent stuffing from falling out. Drizzle remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil on top.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until crispy and beginning to wilt, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Cut off kitchen string. Sprinkle Romano cheese on top before serving, if desired.
  • Note: Look for the long, thin type of radicchio. The round type is also OK. Substitute escarole for the chicory endive if desired.

RADICCHIO LETTUCE CUPS WITH CAPONATA



Radicchio Lettuce Cups with Caponata image

Provided by Michael Chiarello : Food Network

Categories     appetizer

Time 2h25m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

12 whole radicchio leaves
10 cups ice water
Caponata:
About 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 1/2 cups diced onion (1/4-inch dice)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 anchovy fillets, chopped
2 teaspoons chili flakes
2 tablespoons caper juice
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1 eggplant (about 1 pound) peeled and diced into small pieces (see Chef's Note)
1 tablespoon roughly chopped capers
1/2 cup peeled, seeded, and 1/4-inch diced roasted red bell peppers, recipe follows
1 tablespoon finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
4 whole red peppers
1/2 cup olive oil

Steps:

  • Soak lettuce leaves for about 10 minutes in ice water to reduce bitterness. Wrap in damp paper towel to keep moist until ready to serve.
  • In large saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add the garlic and saute briefly until brown. Add the onion and brown lightly, about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium, add a pinch each of salt and pepper (go easy on the salt because the anchovies will add that extra bit of saltiness). Continue to cook until the onion is well browned, about 5 minutes. Add the anchovies and cook and stir until they melt into the onion. Add the chili flakes, then the caper juice and stand back to avoid getting splattered. Stir and scrape all around the pan. Add 1/4 cup of the vinegar, return the heat to high, and boil until reduced and thick, 1 to 2 minutes.
  • In a separate pan, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add the eggplant and saute until browned and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Saute only a small bunch at a time, to avoid letting the eggplant boil in its own juices. If the pan gets too dry, add more olive oil as the cooking progresses - if you add too much olive oil early in the process, the eggplant will absorb all of it and still need more. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan well so nothing burns. Season with salt and pepper. Scrape into a bowl.
  • Add the garlic-anchovy mixture to the eggplant with the capers and remaining vinegar. Stir well, then scrape into a bowl. Stir in the roasted peppers and parsley and taste again for seasoning. Let cool to room temperature before serving.
  • When ready to assemble, place 1 to 2 tablespoons of caponata in chilled lettuce cups. Wrap into ball and enjoy.
  • Brush peppers with olive oil (this carries the heat into crevices, helping the skin to blister more evenly). Roast the peppers whole under a broiler or on the stovetop, or grill, turning occasionally until the skins blister and char all over.
  • Place in paper bag, and let steam to loosen the skins, for about 15 minutes. Working over the bowl to catch any juices, peel off the skins. Seed the peppers, then slice into long strips and place in a clean bowl. Pour the juices left in the steaming bowl over the peppers and refrigerate for up to several days.

Tips:

  • Choose the right radicchio: There are two main types of radicchio: Treviso and Chioggia. Treviso radicchio has a long, cylindrical head with deep red leaves, while Chioggia radicchio has a round head with white and red leaves. Both types of radicchio have a slightly bitter flavor, but Treviso radicchio is more bitter than Chioggia radicchio.
  • Prepare the radicchio properly: Before using radicchio in a recipe, it is important to prepare it properly. First, remove the outer leaves of the radicchio, which are often tough and bitter. Then, cut the radicchio into wedges or slices, depending on the recipe.
  • Use radicchio in a variety of dishes: Radicchio can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, soups, pizzas, and pastas. It can also be grilled, roasted, or sautéed.
  • Pair radicchio with other flavors: Radicchio has a slightly bitter flavor, so it pairs well with sweet, salty, and sour flavors. Some good examples include roasted pears, crumbled goat cheese, and a balsamic vinegar dressing.

Conclusion:

Radicchio is a versatile and delicious vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes. Its slightly bitter flavor pairs well with sweet, salty, and sour flavors, making it a great addition to salads, soups, pizzas, and pastas. Radicchio can also be grilled, roasted, or sautéed. With its beautiful color and unique flavor, radicchio is a great way to add a touch of elegance to any dish.

Related Topics