The melted cheese with sautéed radicchio and Pinova apples from Val Venosta is a flavorful dish that captivates with its textures and diverse flavors. From the gooey cheese to the crispness of the sautéed radicchio, to the organic Pinova apples from Val Venosta, which add a touch of sweetness and pair perfectly with the melted cheese. A truly flavorful and especially quick dish to prepare. Great on its own, or accompanied by a few slices of bread if you like, but it’s not a must.
The organic Pinova apples are perfect in this case, as they offer the right balance of tartness and sweetness, which pairs beautifully with the savory cheese.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 2 people
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
- 9 oz fontina cheese (or other melting cheese)
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 sprigs thyme
- 1.4 tbsp butter
- 1 organic Pinova apple (Apple Val Venosta)
- 1 head red Treviso radicchio IGP, late variety
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Steps
To prepare the melted cheese with sautéed radicchio and Organic Pinova Apples, remove the rind from the cheese and cut it into cubes. Peel and halve the garlic clove and rub the cut side on the baking dish (about 7 inches in diameter). Then add the cheese cubes and sprinkle with thyme leaves. Pepper and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 430°F (fan).
Wash and peel the organic Pinova apple, remove the core and cut it into cubes. Heat a pan with the butter, and as soon as it melts, add the apple cubes and sauté them in the butter for a couple of minutes on high heat until they are flavored and slightly softened. Remove the apple cubes from the pan and keep them warm.
Bake the dish with the cheese at 430°F for 6-7 minutes, until the cheese is completely melted.
Meanwhile, wash the radicchio and cut it into four parts. Heat a pan with the extra virgin olive oil and add the radicchio. Roast it on each side for a total of about 5 minutes. The radicchio should soften and gain some color. Salt, pepper, and deglaze with the balsamic vinegar. Continue cooking for one minute, then remove the radicchio from the pan, keeping it warm until the cheese is ready.
Remove the melted cheese from the oven, add the sautéed radicchio with balsamic and the apple cubes with butter, and serve immediately. Add a few drops of balsamic vinegar if desired.
Suggestions
You can also divide the ingredients into two cocottes, each about 3-4 inches in diameter, to get two separate portions.
