Dandelion Salad With Garlic Confit Dressing Recipes

JACQUES PéPIN'S WILD DANDELION SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium pan over low heat, cook bacon until just crisp, turning occasionally. Remove bacon from pan, and let drain on paper towels. Reserve some of the fat and chop the bacon.
• To make the vinaigrette, finely chop anchovies and garlic and transfer to a medium bowl. Add mustard, vinegar, salt, olive oil, 1 tsp bacon or pancetta fat, olive oil, salt, and black pepper and whisk until combined. Taste for balance and add more oil or vinegar if desired.
• In a large bowl combine greens and vinaigrette and toss until greens are well coated. Top with hard boiled eggs, 1/4 cup of the chopped bacon, and croutons or bread and serve.

DANDELION SALAD WITH GARLIC CONFIT DRESSING

Steps:

• In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, warm the oil. Add 12 garlic cloves (they should be just covered by the oil) and cook gently until very soft, 45 minutes to 1 hour; cool. Reserve oil.
• Mince remaining garlic cloves and put them in a small bowl. Add the capers, lemon juice, lemon zest, fine sea salt and pepper. Whisk in 6 tablespoons garlic cooking oil.
• Heat the broiler. Spread the bread on a baking sheet; brush surfaces with remaining garlic oil. Broil until crisp and golden, 1 to 2 minutes a side.
• Toss the greens with the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Divide among six serving plates. Smash one confited garlic clove on top of each toast; sprinkle with coarse salt. Arrange two toasts on each salad plate.

DANDELION SALAD WITH BEETS, BACON AND GOAT CHEESE TOASTS

Steps:

• Make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together garlic, ginger, lime juice, sherry vinegar and mustard. Season with salt and pepper, then whisk in olive oil. Taste and adjust seasoning. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
• Cut the beets into ¾-inch wedges. Put them in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Dress with 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette and toss to coat well. Set aside for at least 10 minutes at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 4 hours.
• Put a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the lardons and let them begin to brown and sizzle, then reduce heat and cook gently, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or so, until lardons are barely crisp and lightly browned. Remove lardons from pan with a slotted spoon and keep warm.
• Paint baguette slices lightly on both sides with olive oil and top each with a slice of goat cheese. Bake for 10 minutes or so until bread is toasted and cheese has softened slightly. Put dandelion greens in a large shallow bowl. Season lightly with salt and pepper and toss gently to coat. Add up to 3 tablespoons of vinaigrette and toss to coat leaves well. Divide dressed leaves among 6 plates.
• Garnish each plate with beets, bacon, hard-cooked eggs and goat cheese toast. Alternatively, serve family style with garnishes scattered over the top of the salad.

DANDELION SALAD WITH WARM BACON DRESSING

Steps:

• Cut greens into 1 1/2-inch lengths and transfer to a large bowl.
• Cook bacon in a large heavy skillet until golden and crisp, then transfer to a cutting board, reserving fat in skillet. Finely chop bacon.
• Whisk together shallot, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, then whisk in 3 tablespoons hot bacon fat. Toss greens with enough warm dressing to coat and sprinkle with bacon. Serve immediately.