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Arugula and Radicchio Salad with Warm Goat Cheese and Olive Dressing

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 22, 2007

Time

40 minutes

Yield

Serves 6

Arugula and Radicchio Salad with Warm Goat Cheese and Olive Dressing

Ingredients

3 tablespoons fine, unflavored dried bread crumbs 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary 1 small log goat cheese (4 ounces), cut into 6 equal rounds1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 medium clove garlic, minced3 tablespoons red wine vinegar ½ cup oil-cured black olives, pitted and chopped fine¼ teaspoon table salt ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper 4 large bunches arugula, washed, dried, stems trimmed and leaves torn into bite-sized pieces (about 6 ½ cups, loosely packed)⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 medium head radicchio, washed, dried, and leaves torn into bite-sized pieces (about 2 ½ cups, loosely packed)

Before You Begin

Goat cheese can be difficult to slice neatly. If you have trouble, try wiping the knife blade with a cold, damp kitchen towel before each slice.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to center position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Stir bread crumbs and 1 teaspoon each of the thyme and rosemary to combine in a shallow pie pan. Brush goat cheese rounds lightly with 1 tablespoon olive oil and gently press both sides and edges in bread crumb mixture to coat thoroughly with bread crumb mixture (can be done up to 1 hour before serving time and refrigerated on baking sheet until ready to bake).
  2. Whisk garlic, vinegar, olives, remaining thyme and rosemary, salt, and pepper in small bowl; gradually whisk in remaining 1/3 cup olive oil; set aside.
  3. Just before serving, bake breaded goat cheese rounds until warm throughout but not at all browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk dressing to re-blend and toss greens and dressing to coat in large mixing bowl. Divide dressed greens among 6 serving plates. Remove cheese rounds from oven; top each salad with one round and serve immediately.
Arugula and Radicchio Salad with Warm Goat Cheese and Olive Dressing

Arugula and Radicchio Salad with Warm Goat Cheese and Olive Dressing

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

40 minutes

Yield

Serves 6

Ingredients

3 tablespoons fine, unflavored dried bread crumbs
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
1 small log goat cheese (4 ounces), cut into 6 equal rounds
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium clove garlic, minced
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
½ cup oil-cured black olives, pitted and chopped fine
¼ teaspoon table salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
4 large bunches arugula, washed, dried, stems trimmed and leaves torn into bite-sized pieces (about 6 ½ cups, loosely packed)
⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium head radicchio, washed, dried, and leaves torn into bite-sized pieces (about 2 ½ cups, loosely packed)

Ingredients

3 tablespoons fine, unflavored dried bread crumbs
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
1 small log goat cheese (4 ounces), cut into 6 equal rounds
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium clove garlic, minced
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
½ cup oil-cured black olives, pitted and chopped fine
¼ teaspoon table salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
4 large bunches arugula, washed, dried, stems trimmed and leaves torn into bite-sized pieces (about 6 ½ cups, loosely packed)
⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium head radicchio, washed, dried, and leaves torn into bite-sized pieces (about 2 ½ cups, loosely packed)

Ingredients

3 tablespoons fine, unflavored dried bread crumbs
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
1 small log goat cheese (4 ounces), cut into 6 equal rounds
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium clove garlic, minced
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
½ cup oil-cured black olives, pitted and chopped fine
¼ teaspoon table salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
4 large bunches arugula, washed, dried, stems trimmed and leaves torn into bite-sized pieces (about 6 ½ cups, loosely packed)
⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium head radicchio, washed, dried, and leaves torn into bite-sized pieces (about 2 ½ cups, loosely packed)

Why This Recipe Works

The secret to a warm winter salad recipe was to use greens with hardy textures and assertive flavors. The crisp texture of greens such as escarole, radicchio, arugula, and watercress could withstand a dousing with warm dressing or the addition of a hot ingredient without becoming so wilted that they were no longer a pleasure to eat.

Before You Begin

Goat cheese can be difficult to slice neatly. If you have trouble, try wiping the knife blade with a cold, damp kitchen towel before each slice.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to center position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Stir bread crumbs and 1 teaspoon each of the thyme and rosemary to combine in a shallow pie pan. Brush goat cheese rounds lightly with 1 tablespoon olive oil and gently press both sides and edges in bread crumb mixture to coat thoroughly with bread crumb mixture (can be done up to 1 hour before serving time and refrigerated on baking sheet until ready to bake).
  2. Whisk garlic, vinegar, olives, remaining thyme and rosemary, salt, and pepper in small bowl; gradually whisk in remaining 1/3 cup olive oil; set aside.
  3. Just before serving, bake breaded goat cheese rounds until warm throughout but not at all browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Meanwhile, whisk dressing to re-blend and toss greens and dressing to coat in large mixing bowl. Divide dressed greens among 6 serving plates. Remove cheese rounds from oven; top each salad with one round and serve immediately.

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