Grilled Broccoli Rabe and Arugula Salad

This is such a wonderfully fresh salad, full of different tastes and textures: charred, spicy, herbal, naturally acidic, and crisp. I love to serve this as a palate-cleansing salad course.

Tomatillo Pecan Pesto

• 4 tomatillos, husked, rinsed, and diced (about 1 cup)

• 1 tablespoon Louisiana-Style Hot Sauce

• 5 cloves garlic, peeled

• 1/2 cup packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

• 1/2 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves

• 1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves

• 2 teaspoons ground cumin

• 1 tablespoon kosher salt

• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

• 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped

Salad

• 1 bunch broccoli rabe, ends trimmed

• 1 celery stalk, peeled of long fibers and thinly sliced

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

• 2 cups packed arugula

• 1/2 cup packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

• 1/2 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves

• 1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves

• 1/2 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped

• 1/2 cup shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano

Prepare a grill for direct-heat cooking.

To make the tomatillo pecan pesto, place the tomatillos, Louisiana-Style Hot Sauce, garlic, parsley, cilantro, basil, cumin, salt, lime juice, and 1/4 cup cold water in a blender or food processor and pulse the mixture until incorporated. Add the cheese and pulse a few more times, then add the pecan pieces and pulse just to incorporate. The pesto can be made ahead and refrigerated in a covered container for up to 3 days.

To make the salad, toss the broccoli rabe with 1/2 cup of the pesto and grill it over medium heat for 2 to 4 minutes, until it chars. (If you have a meshbottom grill pan, here is your chance to use it.) Once charred, cut the broccoli rabe crosswise into thirds and place in a bowl.

Meanwhile, place the celery, lemon juice, and salt in a small bowl, toss, and set aside for 5 to 10 minutes. (This is a quick-pickled celery.) Add the arugula, parsley, cilantro, and basil to the bowl with the broccoli rabe, and toss with the remaining pesto.

Divide among 8 plates. Top each salad with a sprinkling of the pickled celery, toasted pecans, and shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano.