Radicchio & Orange Salad
This is one of my go-to salads for winter. Two in-season ingredients as the base for a sweet and bitter contrast and herbs and whatever else you have on hand (a sprinkle of cheese) to add to it. Sometimes if I want it extra crunchy, I’ll shave some fennel bulb and use the fronds for the dressing too.
It goes perfectly alongside a rich pasta like my lamb ragu pappardelle or a great simple salad to make if you’re heading to a dinner party and your friend asks you to ‘bring over a salad’.
If you’re making this for your own dinner party, I prep everything separately before hand (wash and dry radicchio, cut orange, make dressing) and then assemble it just before serving.
Ingredients
- 1 small radicchio, washed, dried and bigger leaves torn in half
- 1 orange, skin removed and cut into small slices
- A few sprigs of dill and chives, finely chopped. You could also use basil, parsley, even fennel fronds in place of these herbs based on what you have on hand.
Dressing
- 1.5-2 tbsp of good olive oil
- 1 tsp of mustard. I used a tarragon flavoured mustard
- Good pinch of salt
- 1 tsp of honey
- Dash of white wine vinegar
- Zest of the above orange (do this before you slice the orange)
- Juice from a few slices of orange above
Method
- Whisk all of the dressing ingredients together until emulsified and season to taste. It should taste a little sweeter than a normal vinegarette because of the orange, which will contrast the bitterness of the radicchio. If you want it more tangy, add more vinegar.
- Place half of the chopped dill and chives into the dressing and mix to combine.
- Scatter the radicchio onto a platter.
- Scatter the orange pieces over the radicchio so there’s a few pieces in each leaf.
- Drizzle the dressing over the radicchio and orange or toss all the ingredients in a bowl so they can become friends. Whatever way you prefer to dress a salad.
- Garnish with the remaining herbs on top.
- Serve alongside your wintry main. I like serving this salad with a rich pasta like my Lamb Ragu Pappardelle and some focaccia and a winter menu.
Watch the process
You can find more of my Salad recipes here!