ESCAROLE, PEAR, PARMESAN, AND BASIL LEAF SALAD

Escarole, Pear, Parmesan, and Basil Leaf Salad image

Provided by Mindy Fox

Yield 8-10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup hazelnuts, coarsely chopped
Kosher salt
1 small garlic clove
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 heads of escarole (about 2 1/2 pounds), tough outer greens removed, leaves torn into bite-sized pieces
2 Comice or Anjou pears, preferably red, cored, thinly sliced lengthwise
1/2 pound Parmesan, shaved
2 cups (packed) basil leaves, torn into bite-sized pieces
Flaky sea salt

Steps:

Heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil in a small skillet over medium. Add hazelnuts and toast, stirring occasionally, until golden, 2-3 minutes. Season with 1/8 tsp. kosher salt. Remove from heat; set aside.
Finely chop garlic clove. Using the side of a chef's knife, mash garlic with 1/4 tsp. kosher salt to form a paste. Whisk garlic paste, vinegar, mustard, and 1/4 tsp. pepper in a medium bowl. Whisk in 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil in a slow and steady stream.
Place escarole, pears, Parmesan, basil, and about 1/3 of the reserved hazelnuts in a large bowl and drizzle with vinaigrette. Gently toss until salad is evenly dressed; season with sea salt and pepper. Top with remaining hazelnuts.
Do Ahead
The dressing can be made up to 1 day ahead. Whisk well before using.