as you may have noticed – i like to try new things. and there was this one particular vegetable i had been wanting to try for a while now – radicchio. i knew it had to be good for us – just look at all that colour!
when i did a little research on this interesting-looking chicory, i discovered that it may actually help insomnia. and – as you may recall, i battle with that from time to time… eating intuitively has become such a way of life for me, that i notice i’ll crave things i need and not even realize it. how awesome is that?! our bodies are so incredible!
radicchio also contains some sort of chemical that helps purify our blood – and i find that also fascinating considering i have been known to have bouts of anemia. i have recently found myself craving protein and oddly, radicchio – despite the fact that i have never had it. well – i guess i may have had it in a salad and not realized it. but this time you know, i was like – paying attention 😉
radicchio is definitely bitter when eaten raw. i had read online that it is best to braise or blanch it, but for whatever reason, i wanted to try it in my salad just as it was. it blended well with the other ingredients i added in, but make no mistake – this is one bitter vegetable!
so, i decided to concoct an unusual type of salad to take with me to work during the week… and it involved radicchio, and –
i just love the texture! and the fun crunch it provides. cabbage is in peak season right now, and i am always looking for new ways to enjoy it.
salad of a different colour – mixed romaine leaves, red lettuce, radicchio, savoy cabbage, shredded carrots, fresh parmigiano reggiano.
food & foto 
Hi Audrey, great pictures. The wooden texture really allows the red to speak. I’m yet to try this but I’ve recently seen a recipe for a radicchio gratin where you bake blanched baby “radicchii” under a béchamel sauce with grated cheese and breadcrumbs on top 🙂
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hi brendon! thanks for stopping by and for taking time to comment. that recipe sounds incredible! do post about it if you make it?!?! anything with grated cheese on top is okay in my book 😉
thanks again for the kind comment. i really enjoy your blog and am glad i found it!
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Oh wow this looks delicious !
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I was checking radicchio today at my local WholeFoods thinking what could I do with it. Now I can actually buy it and toss it in my salad. Thanks for sharing!
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i actually used to work for whole foods – which is part of why i started this blog. i fotograph and blog about lots of unique produce from that place. if you ever spot something you’re not sure about, check in and search my site, chances are i’ve written about it! 😉
thanks for reading!
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I’ve been craving radicchio for weeks too. Your salad looks delicious. mmm. like to mix it with fennel, very thinly sliced fennel. little olive oil and balsamic and some orange wedges. Great as a side for really anything. Sandwich, sausage, chicken breast or leg. I just love it. Oh and O hear ya about insomnia. 😉 check out my post on a radicchio salad as well. http://dragonfruitphotographyblog.com/2014/01/26/ridiculously-easy-delicious-radicchio-salad/
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hey!!! oh my goodness, your recipe sounds and looks incredible!!! i cannot wait to try it! i have been wanting to incorporate more fennel into my diet… it’s one of those veggies i just never cook with – i admit it slightly intimidates me. thanks for stopping by and for commenting! i appreciate your support! 🙂
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