Swap your classic salad with this colourful radicchio salad. A whole meal can be made with three ingredients only: purple, slightly bitter radicchio, crispy bacon and kidney beans. Served with a slice of homemade bread it makes a filling and satisfying dish.
Finally, one of my favourite salad dishes! I am talking about radicchio salad. This radicchio salad is simple and a poor man’s dish, yet delicious and rich in flavours. If you are looking either for a lovely appetizer, lunch or brunch, this is a wonderful idea.
Radicchio salad was often on my table, while still in Slovenia. Since my home used to be right on the Italian border (our cousin has a big influence from “Cucina Italiana”; in this case the Venetian region), this recipe reached my kitchen as well. I love this salad dish. You have to love the combo of saltiness, creaminess and bitterness. Yummy!
But what is radicchio? It’s a wonderful leafy vegetable, with a slightly bitter and peppery flavour. If you ever tasted chicory, then you know what I am talking about.
Moreover, radicchio has a rich maroon-purple colour and white “veins” (which give a more interesting look). Radicchio is a great solution for how to add colour to your dishes, just like in this vanilla persimmon radicchio salad.
In fact, radicchio is very versatile. It goes great with roasted meat and it makes a wonderful risotto, as well. I love it! Check this combination. Crunchy radicchio leaves, topped with crispy bacon, warm kidney beans and apple vinegar make a perfect combo for a rainy-day salad. I don’t know about you, but I want a big portion of it right now!
Furthermore, I prepared some lovely garlic Naan bread as well. This bread is so easy to make. And the great thing is, you can “bake” it directly in a non-sticking pan on your stove. Naan bread can be prepared ahead. You have to taste it together with the radicchio salad. Check further in the recipe on how to make Naan bread. Of course, if you prefer, you can pair it with some other homemade bread, too. For instance, turmeric sourdough bread.
Ingredients for 2 portions of radicchio salad:
- 1 radicchio head (Treviso or Chioggia)
- 150 g bacon (cubes)
- 200 g kidney beans (from a can or cooked)
- 40 ml apple vinegar (plus for dressing)
- olive oil
Ingredients for 6-8 portions of Naan bread:
- 125 ml lukewarm water
- 7g dry yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 300 g flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 150 ml plain yoghurt
- 25 g melted butter (plus some for brushing)
- a pinch of salt
- 2 garlic cloves (thinly chopped or minced)
To begin, in a bowl, mix water, yeast and sugar. Allow the yeast to react and get foamy.
Meanwhile, in a larger bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, yoghurt, melted butter and garlic. Give it a stir. Once the yeast is bubbly, pour it into the bowl, too. Using the dough hooks, mix until the dough starts coming together.
Dust your working area with some flour, transfer the dough and knead it for 10 minutes. Then form a ball, put it in a bowl greased well with oil, cover with cling foil and keep in a warm (air-draft free) place for 1 hour or until double the size.
Afterwards, transfer the dough onto your working area and divide it into 6-8 equal pieces. Place a larger frying pan on the stove and turn the heat on. While waiting for the pan to get hot, take the first piece of the dough (keep the rest covered with foil or with a damp towel) and roll it out in around 2mm thin shape.
Furthermore, place it in the pan (without any fat) until you see it drying. It might take 20 seconds or so. Then flip it over for another 30 seconds or until lovely golden brown. Remove it from the pan and brush it with butter. Do the same with the rest of the dough.
Next, wash the radicchio and let it drain. In the meantime, in a larger frying pan, add the bacon cubes and cook until crispy. Once crispy, remove them onto a paper towel. Then, add the kidney beans to the same pan and once they get boiling hot, pour the apple vinegar on top. Cook for 3-5 minutes.
Finally, prepare the radicchio salad. In a larger bowl, toss the chopped radicchio with vinegar and olive oil. Then, divide it between plates and top it with warm kidney beans and crispy bacon. Serve it with some bread and maybe with some plain yoghurt next to it.
Enjoy!
