Cicoria con Olive

Cicoria con Olive is a delicious and nutritious Italian side dish featuring chicory sautéed to perfection and paired with briny olives for a delightful contrast. This vegan dish is not only simple to prepare but also packed with flavor and health benefits.

Ingredients

• Chicory - 300 grams
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Extra virgin olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Black olives - 100 grams, pitted and sliced
• Red pepper flakes - 1/2 teaspoon (optional)
• Salt - to taste
• Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
• Fresh parsley - 2 tablespoons, chopped

Steps

1. Wash the chicory thoroughly and remove any tough stems, then roughly chop it into bite-sized pieces.
2. In a large skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat.
3. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
4. Add the chopped chicory to the skillet, stirring well to coat it in the oil and garlic.
5. Sauté the chicory for about 5-7 minutes, or until it becomes tender but still vibrant in color.
6. Stir in the sliced black olives and red pepper flakes (if using), cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes.
7. Season with salt to taste and drizzle with lemon juice.
8. Remove from heat and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 170
• Protein: 3 g
• Carbs: 15 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Water: 0.25 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in antioxidants and vitamins A and K from chicory.
• Olives provide healthy fats and may help reduce inflammation.

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