Name: Watercress Salad with Port-Braised Figs and Pickled Onions
Yield: Makes 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 medium-size red onion, thinly sliced (about 2 cups); 1 tablespoon Champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar; 1 teaspoon sugar; 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1/8 teaspoon sugar; 1/4 cup grapeseed oil or vegetable oil; 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1 750-ml bottle ruby Port; 1 pound dried black Mission figs, stems removed, figs halved; 3 bunches watercress, thick stems removed (about 8 cups); 6 heads of Belgian endive, trimmed, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices

Watercress Salad with Port-Braised Figs and Pickled OnionsNigel Cox

The peppery watercress and tangy onion are balanced by the sweet richness of the braised figs. It takes eight hours to pickle the onion, so be sure to plan ahead.

Recipe information

Yield
Makes 8 servings

Ingredients

Pickled onion:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium-size red onion, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)

1 tablespoon Champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar

1 teaspoon sugar

Vinaigrette:

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon sugar

1/4 cup grapeseed oil or vegetable oil

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Port-braised figs:

1 750-ml bottle ruby Port

1 pound dried black Mission figs, stems removed, figs halved

Salad:

3 bunches watercress, thick stems removed (about 8 cups)

6 heads of Belgian endive, trimmed, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices

Preparation

For pickled onion:
Step 1
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and stir 1 minute to coat with oil. Add vinegar and sugar and stir until onion begins to soften slightly, about 3 minutes. Transfer onion to baking sheet or platter; spread in single layer. Sprinkle with salt. Cover and chill at least 8 hours or overnight (onion will turn pink). DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.
For vinaigrette:
Step 2
Whisk red wine vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and sugar in small bowl. Gradually whisk in both oils. DO AHEAD: Vinaigrette can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature and rewhisk before using.
For port-braised figs:
Step 3
Combine Port and figs in large saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until figs are plump and tender, about 30 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer figs to small bowl. Increase heat to medium-high and boil Port syrup until thickened and reduced to 6 tablespoons, about 8 minutes. Transfer syrup to another small bowl. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover figs and Port syrup separately and chill.
For salad:
Step 4
Combine endive, and pickled onion Toss salad with vinaigrette Port syrup over each salad among plates. Sprinkle salads and serve.

TagsSalad Port Alcohol Beverages Red Onion Onion Root Vegetable Vegetable Watercress Leafy Greens Fig Fruit Endive Chicory Side Dinner Dairy Free Gluten Free Nut Free Vegan Vegetarian Bon Appétit

Recipe information

Ingredients

Pickled onion:

Vinaigrette:

Port-braised figs:

Salad:

Preparation

For pickled onion:

Step 1

For vinaigrette:

Step 2

For port-braised figs:

Step 3

For salad:

Step 4

Recipe notes