Italian Castlefranco Radicchio with Asian Pear, White Bean, Hazelnuts and Feta

Take your tastebuds on a holiday to Italy.

This salad uses seasonal winter ingredients, but the method of combining fruit, nuts, and spices can vary with HP’s 1,2, 3, method of preparing flavorful experience beyond bag mixed salads! Find out how to build a salad HERE.

Ingredients:

• 1 head Italian Castlefranco radicchio, leaves separated and washed

• 1 Asian pear, thinly sliced

• 1 cup cooked white beans (such as cannellini or navy beans), drained and rinsed

• 1/4 cup toasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped

• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Italian Castlefranco Radicchio and Asian Pear Salad with White Bean, Hazelnuts, and Feta

Ingredients:

• 1 head Italian Castlefranco radicchio, leaves separated and washed

• 1 Asian pear, thinly sliced

• 1 cup cooked white beans (such as cannellini or navy beans), drained and rinsed

• 1/4 cup toasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped

• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

For a Mild Dressing:

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• Salt and pepper to taste

For a Sharp Dressing:

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon honey

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Radicchio and Asian Pear:

   • Tear the Italian Castlefranco radicchio leaves into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large salad bowl.

   • Add the thinly sliced Asian pear to the bowl.

2. Add the White Bean, Hazelnuts, and Feta:

   • Scatter the cooked white beans (BPA Canned Beans are fine with me) over the radicchio and Asian pear.

   • Sprinkle the toasted hazelnuts (toasting hazelnuts is easy and fast in a cast iron skillet) and crumbled feta cheese on top.

3. Prepare the Dressings:

   • For the Mild Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.

   • For the Sharp Dressing: In another small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined.

4. Serve:

   • Drizzle the Mild Dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat the ingredients.

   • Serve the Sharp Dressing on the side or drizzle it lightly over individual servings for those who prefer a sharper flavor.

5. Enjoy:

   • Please substitute any leafy green, bitter green, like endive or radicchio if you can’t find the Italian ingredients at your local markets. It is common to find most bitter greens at your local farmers market.

I love this salad a it offers a delightful combination of sweet, nutty, and tangy flavors, with the option to enhance the Asian pear flavor with either a mild or sharp dressing. It's a perfect balance of textures and tastes for a refreshing and satisfying salad experience. I challenge you to create your own or indulge in this one! A salad a day, peas, and thank you