If you are looking for a simple, healthy, and delicious salad to brighten up your winter meals, try this Radicchio Salad with Asian Pear. It features crisp and bitter radicchio leaves, sweet and juicy Asian pear slices, crunchy toasted walnuts, and savory shaved pecorino cheese. All tossed in a tangy and flavorful champagne vinaigrette with a hint of truffle oil. This salad is easy to make ahead and can be served as a light dinner or a festive side dish.
Radicchio is a type of chicory that has purple-red leaves with white veins. It is related to endive and escarole, and has a slightly bitter taste that balances well with sweet, nutty, and creamy ingredients. There are different varieties of radicchio, each named after an Italian region where they are grown. The most common one in the US is the round radicchio di Chioggia, which looks like a small cabbage. Other varieties include the elongated radicchio Rosso di Treviso, the speckled radicchio di Castelfranco, and the curly radicchio di Tardivo. Radicchio is in season from mid-winter to spring, when it has the best flavor and texture.
To make this salad, you will need:
- One 4-inch round radicchio (about the size of a softball)
- One large Asian pear (or substitute with regular pear or apple)
- 1/4 cup toasted walnuts (or use hazelnuts or pecans)
- 1/4 cup shaved pecorino cheese (optional but recommended)
- 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar (or use white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
- A few drops of truffle oil (optional but adds a nice touch)
To prepare the salad, follow these steps:
- Make the vinaigrette by whisking together the vinegar, honey, salt, pepper, and truffle oil in a small bowl or jar. Gradually whisk in the olive oil until well combined.
- Tear the radicchio leaves into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large salad bowl.
- Cut the Asian pear into thin slices and add them to the bowl.
- Sprinkle the walnuts and pecorino cheese over the salad.
- Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat everything well.
- Adjust the seasoning if needed and enjoy!
You can make this salad ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to serve. Just toss it again before serving to redistribute the dressing. You can also add some pomegranate seeds or fresh herbs for extra color and flavor.
This Radicchio Salad with Asian Pear is a wonderful way to enjoy this winter vegetable. It is crisp, refreshing, satisfying, and full of flavor. Try it today and let me know what you think!
