SAUTEED RADICCHIO, ORANGE, BACON, AND PECAN SALAD

Sauteed Radicchio, Orange, Bacon, and Pecan Salad image

Yield Serves 4 as a first course

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup pecans
4 navel oranges
2 heads radicchio (about 3/4 pound)
4 thick bacon slices
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup Sherry vinegar or balsamic vinegar
freshly ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350° F.
In a baking pan toast pecans in one layer in middle of oven until golden and fragrant, about 10 minutes. With a sharp knife cut peel and pith from oranges and cut orange sections free from membranes. Discard outer leaves from radicchio and halve lengthwise. Cut radicchio crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick slices.
Cut bacon into 1/2-inch pieces and in a 12-inch heavy skillet cook over moderate heat, stirring, until just golden. With a slotted spoon transfer bacon to a large bowl. Pour off fat from skillet and in skillet heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Saut radicchio, stirring, until wilted, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to moderate and stir in vinegar. Cook radicchio, stirring, 1 minute more. Transfer radicchio to bowl and toss with bacon, nuts, and pepper. Season salad with salt.
Serve salad topped with orange sections.