BIG COUNTRY SALAD

Big Country Salad image

Here is a salad to evoke late-night meals at the restaurant Odeon, in downtown Manhattan, in the era of "Bright Lights, Big City." There the country salad is somewhat smaller, and serves as a fine introduction to a plate of steak frites. But made larger, and piled high on a plate, it makes for a delicious dinner best accompanied by a glass of slightly chilled red wine. Need more protein? Put an egg on it!

Provided by Sam Sifton

Categories easy, quick, salads and dressings

Time 15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

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Ingredients

1/4 pound slab bacon, cut into 1-inch-long lardons
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup good-quality blue cheese, crumbled
Kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
1 head romaine lettuce

Steps:

Fry the bacon over medium heat until almost crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Reserve a splash of bacon fat.
Return bacon pan to heat and add the bread crumbs, tossing until just golden. Remove from pan and reserve.
Combine the lemon juice, vinegar, garlic and mustard in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil and reserved bacon fat until dressing emulsifies. Add a tablespoon of blue cheese and whisk again. Season to taste.
Roughly chop the lettuce and put in a salad bowl. Add bread crumbs and remaining cheese, then the dressing. Toss to mix. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 394, UnsaturatedFat 23 grams, Carbohydrate 17 grams, Fat 33 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 557 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams