salad Archives - Very EATalian

Pink Winter Salad with Radicchio, Prosciutto, Pink Lady Apple, Asiago Cheese & Roasted Pine nuts

March 6, 2020 By very EATalian Leave a Comment

We’re approaching the end of winter, we’re still in Italy, and today the mountains look more beautiful than ever, covered with a layer of fresh snow. I don’t think I’m ready to put away my beloved yellow wool sweater and my favorite leopard-print scarf…but I’m definitely looking forward to seeing the days get longer and the flowers and leaves come out again. Olivia and I planted a few wild flower seeds and they sprouted just few days ago. She is all into it, checking on her little “piantine” every day. I’m hoping we’ll be here when they turn into full blown flowers (unless we manage to kill them first!). Either way, it’s a wonderful way to learn how to take care of a living thing!

This might be our last month in Italy. SIGH. I’m really trying to savor every moment we have left here, but I’m a bit worried about Olivia’s transition back to the States. She’s been showered with love by the whole family during these past months and she’s got so much going on for her here: a huge yard, pets, chickens, an orchard, the view of the mountains, cousins to play with, a great school and a loving teacher, awesome chocolate gelato and pastry shops everywhere, and so much to explore! It’s really a perfect place for her to thrive in. The idea of starting all over again and the prospect of moving twice (first in a temporary furnished apartment, and then finally into a house) aren’t very appealing.

Stability, one day I will find you, I promise. Meanwhile, in an effort to feel a little less anxious about this transition, I started:

Planning Olivia’s future room. It gave me something to look forward to and the biggest inspiration came from Anna’s IG account @Zenos_room — please do check it out because Anna was able to outfit her son’s room all by herself, with amazing taste! #playroomgoals.
Using more color both during our activities (watercolor, homemade playdough, rainbow rice, etc), and while I cook (Pink Chocolate-dipped Cookies, anyone?). I even bought for the first time ever some edible flowers! Color can really soothe your soul.

You can finally CUE IN my Pink Winter Salad. You may call it my signature mood-booster salad. I promise it works for worried mothers like me, who need a little pink in their daily life. LOL.

A few good reasons to make it:

It’s oh-so-pretty and chic with its ton-sur-ton hues.
It’s a delicious combination of amazing ingredients: pink radicchio, San Daniele prosciutto, Pink Lady apple, Asiago cheese & roasted pine nuts.
It’s light and texturally satisfying.
It’s also super easy to make!
It’s definitely trendy (Have you seen Lady Gaga’s insanely gorgeous pink hair lately?).
Last but not least, it makes you FEEL GOOD.

Just one last note, before I leave you to the recipe. To make this salad I used a particular kind of pink radicchio, called Rosa Del Veneto. If you can’t find it, the more classic red radicchio will work. Remember, you can still get pink from prosciutto & the apple. 😉

I hope this Pink Winter Salad can brighten your day, too. If you make it, please share your photos and tag me with #veryeatalian. Grazie!!

PINK WINTER SALAD WITH RADICCHIO, PROSCIUTTO, PINK LADY APPLE, ASIAGO CHEESE & ROASTED PINE NUTS

Course Salad

Servings 4

Author Very EATalian

Ingredients

1 head Radicchio (Rosa del Veneto Pink Radicchio, or Red Radicchio), torn into bite-size pieces
1 Pink lady apple sliced thinly
1 or 2 thick slices of Prosciutto (better if San Daniele Prosciutto)
a few slices of Asiago Cheese cut into smaller pieces
a handful of Pine nuts roasted
a drizzle of Balsamic vinegar
a drizzle of Extra-virgin Olive Oil
Salt
freshly ground Black Pepper
gourmet seed crackers (optional)

Instructions

COMBINE the first five ingredients in a bowl.
WHISK together the vinegar, oil, salt and pepper in a small bowl, until the dressing is fully emulsified. Pour on the salad and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve with seed crackers, if you like, and enjoy!

Panzanella: Bread and Tomato Salad

August 17, 2016 By very EATalian Leave a Comment

Isn’t it funny how sometimes the simplest things impress you the most?

I was 9 years old when I attended my great-uncle’s 50th wedding anniversary in Rome, with my family. The reception was held in a beautiful castle just outside the city. There, an impeccable wait staff served multiple gourmet dishes, fine wine for the adults, and a wide array of desserts. Despite all the fanciness and fine dining, that’s not where I had the most memorable and delicious food that day.

Shortly after the reception, we got invited to somebody’s house. In Italy, when there’s a reason to get together and celebrate, the party never ends…and neither does the food! There, I got to taste for the first time a lovely colorful dish: panzanella, a bread-based salad featuring tomatoes, onions, and basil, simply dressed in olive oil and vinegar. Super simple, yet super tasty! I gobbled up my portion and went back for seconds….

Quick & Tasty Autumn Salad

October 19, 2015 By very EATalian Leave a Comment

I’ve been away from this blog for too long and I’ve got SO much to share! I want to tell you all about the lovely vacation in the Tuscan countryside with my husband, the amazing foods and wines we tried, and the breath-taking places we’ve seen. A few weeks ago, I also visited a dear friend of mine who opened the doors to her family’s distillery — I was able to see how they make grappa! Also, did I mention I’ve got something like 5 recipes waiting to be published?? Let me get back in the groove of things and share one thing at a time, and I promise I’ll try not to let this wonderful season slip away too quickly…I have many more fall recipes to add to the queue. How exciting!…

Blood Orange and Fennel Salad

February 22, 2015 By very EATalian 2 Comments

When faced with the task of planning a menu for a special occasion or a dinner with friends, I easily get caught up in fancy ideas. I want to surprise my guests by out-doing myself and preparing many sophisticated dishes. I see it as a way to show them my love…Do I maybe also like to show off my cooking skills? You bet. Unfortunately, sometimes the fancy multi-course meal can become quite laborious and stressful. By the time I hear the doorbell ringing, I’m so exhausted I feel like I just ran a marathon. Those are the moments when I’m especially grateful for the invention of under-eye concealer.

So here’s my own reminder that delicious stress-free, fancy-looking recipes for special occasions DO exist. This Sicilian salad, for example, is super easy, flavorful, bright, fresh, and seasonal. You can prepare the ingredients ahead of time, and just assemble and season the dish right before serving.

I love the idea of preparing something simple, yet refined. Less work and less time spent on a side dish equals less stress and more time spent taking care of other important hosting details, like table setting or, in my case, not looking disheveled when I open the door!

Sometimes, less is more.

BLOOD ORANGE AND FENNEL SALAD
Servings: 2-3 | Prep time: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS
3 medium-sized blood oranges
1/2 fennel bulb, very thinly sliced crosswise
a few thin slices red onion, cut crosswise
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp orange juice
coarse sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
mint leave or fennel fronds for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Using a sharp knife, remove all skin and pith from all blood oranges. You can divide it in segments or, more easily, slice it crossways. Place orange slices or segments in a bowl.
2. Add thinly sliced fennel and onion.
3. In a small bowl, combine extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and orange juice. Whisk together and drizzle all over the salad. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with mint leaves or fennel fronds.

Buon appetito!
-Lisa