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Escarole with Pine Nuts

Think beyond the salad bowl: Cooking escarole tempers its slight bitterness; pine nuts are a mellow complement.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    30 min

  • Yield

    Makes 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

2

pounds escarole (about 2 heads), tough outer ribs discarded and remainder cut into 2-inch pieces

3

tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

3

tablespoons pine nuts

3

large garlic cloves, finely chopped

3

/4 teaspoon dried hot red-pepper flakes

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Wash escarole well in a sinkful of cold water, agitating it, then lift out and drain in a colander. Cook escarole in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot of boiling salted water, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until tender, 5 to 10 minutes, then drain well in colander.

    Step 2

    Dry pot, then add oil and heat over moderate heat until hot but not smoking. Add pine nuts to hot oil and cook, stirring, until pale golden, about 1 minute. Add garlic and red-pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until garlic and pine nuts are golden, 1 to 2 minutes.

    Step 3

    Add escarole, stirring to coat with oil, then increase heat to moderately high and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of liquid is evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes. Season escarole with salt and pepper.