Best Stuffed Escarole Recipes

STUFFED ESCAROLE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the bread crumbs, olives, anchovies, 1/4 cup wine, 1/4 cup olive oil, cheese, pine nuts, raisins, parsley, and capers.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Discard any damaged outer leaves from the escarole, wash thoroughly between the leaves and shake dry.
• Take out the center leaves to make room for the stuffing, then stuff the escarole and tie closed with kitchen string.
• In a large, deep skillet, heat the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil over medium-high heat.
• Lower the heat, add the garlic and escarole and fry, turning with tongs, until softened, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer the escarole to a plate.
• Pour the remaining 1/4 cup wine and the chicken broth over the escarole.
• Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
• Remove the string and slice the escarole open to serve.

MEDITERRANEAN RICE-STUFFED ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in upper third.
• Quarter escarole lengthwise, leaving base attached, and rinse well. Cook in a medium pot of boiling salted water (2 tablespoons salt for 4 quarts water) 6 minutes. Drain and cool.
• Meanwhile, bring 1 quart water to a boil with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a medium saucepan. Add rice and parboil, uncovered, 10 minutes (rice will not be tender). Reserve 1/2 cup cooking liquid, then drain rice in a sieve.
• Cook pine nuts in 1/4 cup oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring, until pale golden, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until it begins to brown, about 1 minute. Add peppers, raisins, capers, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until raisins begin to plump, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add rice. Cool slightly, then stir in egg and 1/4 cup cheese.
• Cut off and discard base from 1 escarole quarter, then gently spread leaves to create a 4-inch-wide area. With base end nearest you, place one fourth of rice mixture in center of bottom half of escarole. Fold base of leaves over rice, then fold in sides and roll up rice in escarole. Put, seam side down, in a 2-quart flameproof shallow baking dish, then repeat with remaining escarole and rice.
• Drizzle with reserved cooking liquid and remaining tablespoon oil, then sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup cheese. Cover tightly with foil and bake until rice is tender, about 30 minutes.
• Remove foil and turn on broiler, then broil 4 to 6 inches from heat until cheese is browned, 4 to 7 minutes.

ESCAROLE-STUFFED PIZZA

Steps:

• Put oven rack in lowest position and preheat oven to 500°F. Lightly oil cake pan.
• Cook escarole in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water, uncovered, until tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain in a colander, then immerse colander in a large bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Drain again and press gently to remove excess water. Transfer escarole to a large kitchen towel, then gather corners and twist tightly to wring out as much liquid as possible.
• Cut off one third of dough (keep remaining dough covered with plastic wrap) and pat into cake pan, covering bottom. Brush with 1 tablespoon oil and prick all over with a fork. Bake until golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Let crust stand in pan on a rack.
• Meanwhile, heat 1/4 cup oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté garlic, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 30 seconds. Add escarole, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and sauté, stirring, until escarole is coated with oil, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a large shallow bowl to cool slightly, about 15 minutes, then stir in cheese.
• Spread escarole filling over crust in pan, leaving a 1/4-inch border around edge. Roll out remaining dough into a 10-inch round (on a lightly floured board if it sticks). Transfer to pan, covering filling and tucking edge under bottom crust to form a flat top and completely enclose filling (stretch dough if necessary). Press edges to seal. Brush top with remaining tablespoon oil and bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Run a sharp thin knife around edge of pan. Invert a rack over pan and, wearing oven mitts and holding pan and rack firmly together, flip pizza onto rack. Turn pizza right side up and cool 15 minutes before serving. Slide pizza onto a cutting board and cut into wedges.

STUFFED PIZZA WITH VARIATIONS: SPINACH AND FONTINA, ESCAROLE, ANCHOVY, PINE NUT AND RAISIN, PROSCIUTTO COTTO AND SCAMORZA

Steps:

• Add the water to a bowl. Then add the yeast a little at a time and break up the cube of yeast with your hands. Let the yeast fully dissolve in the warm water and let stand for 2 minutes.
• Add the flour on a smooth work surface and create a well in the center of the flour. Slowly add the yeast-water mixture, olive oil, and salt until the flour has absorbed the liquid. Knead the dough until the mixture becomes an even dough consistency. If necessary, add a little more flour to absorb any excess liquid.
• Divide the dough into 4 equal portions to make individual-size pizzas. Place on a lightly-floured surface or pan and cover with a cloth. Let rest for about an hour at room temperature or until the dough has doubled in size. Yield: 4 servings
• For the spinach and fontina pizza: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Stretch out the pizza dough and roll out on a lightly-floured surface. In a frying pan heat the olive oil and brown the garlic. Add the spinach and saute until just wilted. Add salt, to taste and let cool.
• Add the sauteed spinach to 1/2 the dough and top with slices of fontina cheese. Fold the dough over. Pinch the opposite ends of the dough together to seal. Lightly brush the dough with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for approximately 15 minutes.
• For the escarole, anchovy, pine nut and raisin pizza: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Stretch out the pizza dough and roll out on a lightly-floured surface. In a frying pan add the olive oil, anchovies, and brown the garlic. Add the olives, pine nuts, raisins and fry together for another minute. Add the escarole and cook until wilted.
• Add the sauteed escarole onto one-half of the dough. Additional anchovies may be added. Fold over. Pinch the opposite ends together. Lightly brush the dough with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for approximately 15 minutes.
• For the prosciutto cotto and scamorza pizza: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Stretch out the pizza dough and roll out on a lightly-floured surface. Place the prosciutto cotto, scamorza, and sun-dried tomatoes on1/2 the dough. Fold over. Pinch the opposite ends together to seal. Lightly brush the dough with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for approximately 15 minutes.

ESCAROLE STUFFED WITH RAISINS, WALNUTS AND ANCHOVIES

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 teaspoon of olive oil in a medium-size nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds. Add bread crumbs, walnuts, salt and pepper. Lower heat and cook, stirring frequently, until crumbs turn golden brown, about 4 minutes. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and toss in raisins, anchovy and capers. Stir in 2 tablespoons of chicken broth.
• Carefully open escarole leaves, like flower petals, leaving them attached to the core. Spoon filling between leaves. Close leaves up and tie string around escarole to secure. Heat remaining oil in a deep skillet. Add crushed garlic and pepper flakes and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add remaining broth and carefully place escarole in skillet. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook until escarole is tender, about 45 minutes. Remove string, cut into quarters and serve.

STUFFED ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Soak the raisins or dried cranberries, covered in water, in a small bowl for 15 minutes. Rinse and drain the escarole well, but do not detach the leaves from the core. In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, cheese, half the garlic, the anchovies, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, oregano, basil, and 3 tablespoons of the olive oil. Drain the raisins. Add half to the bread crumb mixture. Carefully spread the escarole leaves open to the center and stuff the filling in the middle. Close up the leaves and tie the escarole firmly with kitchen string so the filling will not fall out. Place the escarole bundle in a Dutch oven or slow cooker. Sprinkle on the remaining olive oil, garlic, and raisins. Add the water or wine, cover the pot, and cook over low heat for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the leaves have wilted and are soft. Carefully remove the escarole to a cutting board and cut off the strings. Cut the bundle crosswise into pieces and serve with the pan juices, and salt and pepper to taste.

LITTLE TURNOVERS STUFFED WITH ESCAROLE AND SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Make a sponge, or starter dough: Mix 1/4 cup warm water with 1 teaspoon of the sugar in a large bowl, and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let the yeast dissolve and start to bubble, then stir in 1 cup of the flour and the warm milk. Cover the bowl, and set in a warm place to rise until light and bubbly, an hour or so.
• To mix the flour in a food processor, scrape all of the sponge into the work bowl. Drop in the remaining 2 cups of flour, remaining sugar, salt, beaten eggs, and butter pieces. Pulse several times to mix, then process continuously for about 30 seconds. You should have soft and somewhat sticky dough that has come away from the sides of the bowl. If the sides are not clear, incorporate more flour, a tablespoon at a time, to stiffen the dough. (You can also use a heavy-duty electric mixer to form the dough, or do it by hand.)
• Scrape all the dough onto a floured surface, and knead by hand briefly to form a smooth, soft ball. Work in more flour if necessary, but it is OK if the dough is still a bit sticky. Butter the insides of a bowl lightly, drop in the dough, and seal the bowl with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about an hour.
• Meanwhile, make the pizzelle filling. Trim off the tough bottom of the escarole head, separate and rinse the leaves, then chop them crosswise into 2-inch-wide strips. Pour the olive oil into the skillet, and set it over medium-high heat. Scatter the sliced garlic in the pan, and cook for a minute or two, until sizzling. Add the sausage, breaking up the meat and spreading it in the pan. Push aside the sausage, and sprinkle the peperoncino in a cleared hot spot to toast it, then sprinkle the salt over. Stir together with the sausage, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until all the meat is browned.
• With the heat on high, pile all the chopped escarole in the pan, and toss the strips over and over, to heat and start cooking (tongs are useful for this). Pour a cup or so of water into the skillet, and continue turning the escarole, as it steams and wilts, until all the water has evaporated. Lower the heat, and cook, stirring frequently, until the escarole is very soft and almost dry, about 10 minutes. Adjust the seasoning, and let the filling cool. Turn onto a board and chop it up in small bits with the sausage.
• When you are ready to form the pizzelle, deflate the risen dough, remove it from the bowl, and gently knead it into a smooth round. If you will be baking some or all of the pizzelle right away, heat the oven to 375˚ and arrange racks for one or more baking sheets.
• Cut the dough in thirds. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one piece into an oblong approximately 20 inches by 12 inches. With a ring-shaped cutter or the rim of a can or plastic container, cut circles in the sheet of dough, 4 inches in diameter (or larger or smaller if you prefer).
• Gather the dough scraps from between the cut rounds, and mound a tablespoon of filling on each round. Moisten the outside edge of each circle with water (use your finger or a small brush), then fold the dough over the filling. Line up the edges and pinch them together, forming a neat half-moon-shaped turnover. Press the tines of a fork around the edges to seal the dough. Roll out the remaining dough pieces (incorporating any scraps), and form all the pizzelle this way.
• Arrange the pizzelle on the parchment-lined (or buttered) sheet at least 1 inch apart. Beat the egg well with a little water, and brush the tops of the pizzelle with the wash. Set the sheet (or sheets, if you fill several) in the oven, and bake for about 30 minutes, or until the pizzelle are crusty and golden, shifting the position of the sheets as needed for even baking.
• Serve them warm, lightly buttered.