Microwaved Radicchio Salad

Can a salad be seductive? It can when it's a warm salad, made with jewel-toned radicchio, gently wilted, still a little crunchy, dressed with rich buttermilk, verdant chive oil, and funky blue cheese. We heat the radicchio in the microwave to achieve that perfect in-between texture; toasted hazelnuts bring deep, nutty flavor and more satisfying crunch.

For an extra-sexy starter, freeze the cheese in advance, then shave curls of it over the salad just before serving. Fresh oysters? Forget about it. This is the dish to get things going.