FAST FOOD

Red leaf salad with radish, buffalo mozzarella fritters and anchovy sauce

Serves 4



Salad
1   head of radicchio, outer leaves discarded, leaves coarsely torn
2   heads of pink witlof, leaves separated
3   radishes
80 gm   Ligurian olives, or other small black olives, pitted
To serve:   flat-leaf parsley and purple basil leaves
Anchovy sauce
50 gm   tin anchovies, drained, oil reserved
1 tbsp   lemon juice
1   small clove of garlic, finely chopped
2 tbsp   olive oil
Mozzarella fritters
120 gm (2 cups)   breadcrumbs made from day-old sourdough bread
2 tbsp   coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley, plus extra leaves, to serve
2 tbsp   coarsely chopped basil
1 tsp   finely grated lemon rind
4 (110gm each)   buffalo mozzarella each torn into 4 pieces
For dusting:   plain flour, seasoned to taste
1   egg, lightly beaten
For shallow-frying:   olive oil


1 For anchovy sauce, process anchovies, lemon juice and garlic in the bowl of a small food processor until smooth. Add reserved oil and olive oil, drop by drop at first, then in a slow steady stream until mixture is thick and emulsified. Add 1 tbsp boiling water, season to taste with freshly ground black pepper and combine well. Makes about ¼ cup.
2 For mozzarella fritters, place breadcrumbs, herbs and lemon rind in a bowl, season to taste with sea salt and ground black pepper and combine well. Dust torn mozzarella in seasoned flour, shaking off excess, then in beaten egg, allowing excess to drain off and coat in breadcrumb mixture, pressing crumbs to adhere. Place on a baking paper-lined tray and refrigerate until just before serving.
3 Using a mandolin or sharp knife, cut radishes as thinly as possible, then place in a bowl of iced water and refrigerate until ready to serve. Place radicchio, red witlof and drained radish in a bowl and toss to combine well. Divide salad among bowls, then scatter with olives.
4 Heat 1cm olive oil in a heavy-based frying pan and cook mozzarella fritters, in batches, over medium-high heat, for 2-3 minutes or until crisp and golden. Drain on absorbent paper, then scatter fritters and parsley and purple basil leaves over salads, drizzle with anchovy sauce and serve immediately.


RECIPE Rodney Dunn and Emma Knowles PHOTOGRAPHY Brett Stevens STYLING Yael Grinham


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