Radicchio Salad with Pickled Grapes and Goat Cheese

A sophisticated salad featuring bitter radicchio, sweet-tart pickled grapes, crunchy almonds, and creamy goat cheese. The pickling liquid, infused with star anise and fennel, adds complex flavors to this elegant dish.

6 servings
40 min

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unseasoned rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 pods star anise
  • ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 1 cup seedless black grapes
  • 8 cups radicchio
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • to taste black pepper
  • cup unsalted roasted almonds
  • 2 ounces aged goat cheese
  • cup crumbled goat cheese

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Combine vinegar, sugar, star anise, fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, 2 teaspoons salt, 2 tablespoons orange juice, and 1/4 cup water in a medium bowl or glass jar; stir (or cover and shake) until sugar and salt dissolve. Add grapes and let sit at room temperature at least 30 minutes.

    30 min

  2. 2.

    Toss radicchio in a large bowl with oil, 3 tablespoons strained pickling liquid, and remaining 1 tablespoon orange juice; season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a platter and scatter drained pickled grapes, almonds, and goat cheese over top.

    10 min

  3. 3.

    Grapes can be pickled 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.