Honestly, it’s too hot to turn on the oven for the time being (at least here in Texas). If you’re like me, you’re craving refreshing salads and bright summer produce with just creative assembly and a drizzle of good quality olive oil. This radicchio, citrus and prosciutto salad is the perfect balance of bright greens, juicy fruit and ample dietary protein.
Salads may have a reputation for being simple, go-to side dishes, but we’re big proponents of dinner salad recipes around here. An unexpected addition can elevate it to dinner party status. The best salads combine sweet, salty and savory ingredients to create the perfect taste, and this salad has it all.
Read on for this dream salad. It pleases not only the taste buds but also the retinas. After all, we eat with our eyes first.
Let’s talk about bitter vegetables
The word “bitter” often gets a bad rap as a taste to avoid. But actually, bitter foods are one of the pleasures of life, when They are combined with creamy or fatty ingredients. Perfect examples include coffee and cream, lemon and butter, arugula and olive oil. Everything is in balance.
For this recipe, I chose radicchio. Radicchio is a leafy green vegetable that is often used in salads because of its unique flavor and gorgeous pink to purple color. (Don’t sleep on this Pink radicchio salad!) Its slightly bitter taste complements other flavors and provides a pleasant contrast with sweet or mild ingredients.
Radicchio and nutrition superpower Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, it contains vitamins C, K, E, folic acid and fiber.
Pro tips for making a radicchio, citrus and prosciutto salad
embrace diversity
Choose a variety of citrus fruits to add an interesting look and unique flavor to your salad. Blood oranges and cara cara oranges are especially good.
balance the taste
Make sure the radicchio leaves are well coated in the dressing to balance the inherent bitterness of the leaves and enhance the overall flavor.
make aesthetic
When arranging a salad, aim for a visually appealing arrangement that makes the most of the bright colors of the ingredients.
increase protein
Don’t skimp on the Prosciutto di Parma! Its saltiness creates a delicious contrast between citrus sweetness and vegetable bitterness.
be creative
Feel free to experiment with other toppings like toasted pine nuts or pomegranate seeds for added texture and flavor.
explanation
This bittergreens, citrus, and prosciutto salad is the perfect balance of bright greens, juicy fruit, and plenty of dietary protein.
- Four oranges (use different kinds!)
- 1 Radicchio head, leaves separated
- kosher salt (optional)
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 8–Ten Slice of Prosciutto di Parma
- 1/4 cup roasted, salted pistachios, chopped
- grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup whole fresh mint leaves
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- Remove citrus peel and slice.
- Combine the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, honey, salt and pepper in a bowl and mix. Add radicchio and coat.
- Layer sliced citrus and radicchio on a platter. Insert slices of prosciutto ham.
- Sprinkle with pistachios, parmesan cheese and mint leaves.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Note
- Choose a variety of citrus fruits to add an interesting look and unique flavor to your salad. Blood oranges and cara cara oranges are especially good.
- Feel free to be creative with fresh ingredients like pomegranate seeds, different types of nuts, and fresh herbs you have on hand.
- Preparation time: 15
- Category: salad
keyword: bitter green salad, main course salad, summer salad
