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    Chicory Salad with Goat Cheese and Balsamic Vinaigrette

    clock-icon15 minutes
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    Pixicook editorial team

    A refreshing salad featuring crisp chicory leaves, creamy goat cheese, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, topped with toasted almonds for added crunch.

    Ingredients for Chicory Salad with Goat Cheese and Balsamic Vinaigrette

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    serves
    2 peoplechevron
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    Radicchio, torn into bite-sized pieces

    cups

    Substitute chevron-down

    Endive, sliced into ribbons

    cups

    Substitute chevron-down

    Flat Leaf Parsley, roughly chopped

    cups

    Substitute chevron-down

    Goat Cheese, crumbled

    cups

    Substitute chevron-down

    Almonds, toasted and chopped

    cups

    Substitute chevron-down

    Olive Oil

    cups

    Substitute chevron-down

    Balsamic vinegar

    tablespoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    Dijon Mustard

    teaspoons

    Substitute chevron-down

    How to Make Chicory Salad with Goat Cheese and Balsamic Vinaigrette

    1. Refresh

    Place the radicchio, parsley and endive into a bowl of ice-cold water to refresh them. This will crisp up the leaves, giving your salad a delightful texture. Allow them to sit in the water while you prepare the other ingredients. After 5-10 minutes, lift the lettuce out of the water and dry in a salad spinner or on paper towels to dry.

    2. Toast Almonds

    To toast your almonds, spread them in a single layer on a dry skillet. Place over medium heat and toast them, stirring occasionally, until they're golden brown and fragrant. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Once toasted, transfer them to a plate to cool. This will bring out their nutty flavor and add a satisfying crunch to your salad.

    3. Make the Dressing

    In a small jar, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and za'atar if using. Secure the lid and shake vigorously until the ingredients emulsify into a cohesive dressing. This creates a thick, flavorful coating for the leaves.

    4. Combine and Season

    In a large bowl, combine the dried radicchio and endive, toasted almonds, and crumbled goat cheese. Season with a pinch of salt, remembering that the goat cheese will also add a salty element to the salad. Pour about a third of the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly. The key is to dress delicately to avoid bruising the leaves and to ensure each element shines through. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with more dressing, salt or pepper.

    Pitfalls and tips

    Dressing the Salad

    Dress just before serving to prevent wilting and use hands to toss gently for even coating without bruising the chicory.

    Making the Vinaigrette

    Use a 3:1 ratio of oil to vinegar for a well-balanced dressing. Emulsify by whisking vigorously or shaking in a jar.

    Selecting the Chicory

    Use a combination of radicchio, endive, and escarole for a mix of colors, textures, and flavors. Look for fresh, crisp leaves without signs of wilting or browning. Soak radicchio in ice water if too bitter.

    Quality Goat Cheese

    Select high-quality, fresh, and tangy goat cheese. For luxury, choose cheese with a rind and crumble gently over the salad.

    Balancing the Bitterness

    Ensure the balsamic vinaigrette has a touch of sweetness to balance chicory's bitterness. Use aged balsamic vinegar or add honey or maple syrup if needed.


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