Best Bistro Chefs Salad Recipes

BISTRO SALAD WITH SPINACH-CAESAR DRESSING

Steps:

• Make the dressing: Preheat the oven to 350. Cut the top 1/2 inch off the garlic head and discard; place the garlic on a piece of foil, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and wrap up. Roast until tender, 30 minutes. Cool; squeeze the cloves from their skins.
• Puree the roasted garlic, spinach, anchovies, egg yolk, mustard, vinegar and 3/4 cup water in a blender. With the motor running, slowly add 1 cup olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Prepare the salad: Preheat the broiler. Cook the pancetta in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, 6 minutes; transfer to paper towels to drain. Reserve the drippings in the skillet. Brush the bread with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and broil until toasted. Cool, then cut into cubes.
• Toss the mushrooms, lemon juice, tomatoes, mozzarella and parsley in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Add the pancetta, bread cubes and 2 tablespoons of the pancetta drippings and toss. Divide among bowls and drizzle with dressing.
• Make the dressing: Preheat the oven to 350. Cut the top 1/2 inch off the garlic head and discard; place the garlic on a piece of foil, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and wrap up. Roast until tender, 30 minutes. Cool; squeeze the cloves from their skins.
• Puree the roasted garlic, spinach, anchovies, egg yolk, mustard, vinegar and 3/4 cup water in a blender. With the motor running, slowly add 1 cup olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Prepare the salad: Preheat the broiler. Cook the pancetta in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, 6 minutes; transfer to paper towels to drain. Reserve the drippings in the skillet. Brush the bread with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and broil until toasted. Cool, then cut into cubes.
• Toss the mushrooms, lemon juice, tomatoes, mozzarella and parsley in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Add the pancetta, bread cubes and 2 tablespoons of the pancetta drippings and toss. Divide among bowls and drizzle with dressing.

FRENCH BISTRO SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk together white wine vinegar and mustard in a small bowl. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking. Mix in garlic, salt, and pepper. Chill vinaigrette in the refrigerator until ready to toss with the salad greens.
• Wash and thoroughly dry mixed salad greens. Place in a large, chilled salad bowl.
• Stir dressing, and drizzle some of it on the greens and toss. Add enough dressing to coat the leaves, but not puddle in the bottom of the bowl.
• Sprinkle fresh parsley, chives, and tarragon over the salad and serve immediately.

BISTRO SALAD WITH POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the haricots verts and cook until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water; transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Refill the pot with water and bring to a simmer.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Pour the drippings into a large bowl; whisk in 2 tablespoons vinegar and the mustard until smooth. Add the frisee, endive, haricots verts, herbs, shallot, bacon, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper; toss.
• Add the remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar to the simmering water. Reduce the heat to low. Crack each egg into a ramekin or teacup, then gently slip into the water. Cook until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Divide the salad among plates. Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon, blot dry on a paper towel, then transfer to the salads. Season with salt and pepper and serve with the baguette.