Radicchio and walnut salad

It’s daunting, but after many years of saying “no” to things, I’ve finally – to quote a friend of mine – put on my big girl panties. I’ve started saying “yes” to stuff, no matter how much it may scare me.

The thought of doing my own food blog had been brewing for ages. Getting over myself (at long last!) and following Nike’s directive to JUST DO IT, has been a pretty liberating experience. I won’t carry on about my epiphany, it would be such a frightful bore. I’d rather talk about food.

In spite of my hitherto reticence in other areas, the one thing I’ve never said “no” to, is anything new food-wise. (OK that’s not quite true. I’ve run screaming for the hills from mopane worms, even though they were languishing in a delightful little chilli-tomato sauce. I don’t think you can blame me.) So let me rephrase. In general, I don’t say “no” to new/different food.

Raddichio is not something one often sees. Added to a pre-washed variety salad pack, yes. On its own? Not so much. Which is a pity. With its gorgeous white veins running through red leaves, it’s just so pretty.

It’s also bitter and South Africans, unlike Italians, are not great appreciators of bitter leaves. Treated the right way, I think it’s a delight. I like it with something crunchy for added texture, something creamy and salty to give it an extra dimension and something quite sweet to balance the bitter.

I saw some raddichio at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock last weekend, so I made this… raddichio salad with toasted walnuts, creamy Cremezola and a sweet honeyed vinaigrette.

I served it with ciabatta, truckloads of finely sliced prosciutto, salami and a fruity white wine under the big tree in my back garden. It was a mighty fine little Italian-inspired al fresco lunch.

Next time you encounter something new, think of saying “yes”, even if it just to radicchio.