Frisée Salad with Poached Eggs and Bacon
Practically every bistro in France has a version of this salad—salade frisée aux lardons—on the menu. Made with frisée, a frilly green in the chicory family, and traditionally topped with a poached egg, it is very rich—not the sort of salad to eat every day, but wonderful occasionally as a substantial lunch or a light supper.
Recipe information
Yield
serves 4 to 6
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the broiler. To make the toasts, arrange the bread slices on a baking sheet and brush one side with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Broil about 4 inches from the heat until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn the slices over and toast. Remove from the oven and while warm, rub one side of each toast with the cut surface of the halved garlic clove. Transfer to a rack and set aside.
Step 2
Fill a large bowl with water and set aside (use hot water if serving the salad immediately, cold if making the eggs ahead). To poach the eggs, fill a large saucepan with 3 inches of water, add the white vinegar, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Break one of the eggs into a ramekin or teacup. Using the handle (not the bowl) of a wooden spoon, swirl the water to create a whirlpool effect, which will help the eggs hold their shape. Decrease the heat to medium-low so the water is at a gentle boil and slide the egg into the center. Reduce the heat and poach the egg until the white is solid and the yolk is firm but still soft to the touch, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the egg and transfer to the bowl of water; set aside. Return the water to a gentle boil, and repeat the process with the other eggs. The eggs can be poached up to 12 hours ahead and refrigerated in a sealed container. To serve them, reheat briefly in hot water.
Step 3
Line a plate with paper towels. To cook the bacon, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp and brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to the prepared plate; set aside.
Step 4
To make the dressing, drain off all but about 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat from the skillet. Add the shallot and cook until translucent, about 1 minute. Add the chopped garlic and cook until fragrant, 45 to 60 seconds. Add the red wine vinegar and stir to combine (the vinegar will emit strong fumes, so keep your face back from the pan).
Step 5
Add the greens to the skillet and toss to coat and wilt slightly. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper.
Step 6
To serve, divide the salad among individual serving plates. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the eggs from the bowl of water to paper towels; gently pat them dry. Place an egg on top of each bed of dressed greens. Garnish with the reserved bacon and season with pepper. Serve with the garlic toasts.
