This classic French salad combines tender, slightly bitter frisée greens with the rich, smoky crunch of slab bacon. The warmth of the bacon fat gently wilts the lettuce, creating a perfect texture contrast. A zesty dressing made from Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil ties the flavors together beautifully. Served with crunchy croutons, this dish offers a delightful balance of savory, tangy, and earthy notes. It is an elegant yet simple side dish perfect for lunch, picnics, or as a light starter before a main course. Simple to make with pantry staples, this recipe delivers authentic home-style flavor every time.
Salad Frisee
Description
This classic French salad combines tender, slightly bitter frisée greens with the rich, smoky crunch of slab bacon. The warmth of the bacon fat gently wilts the lettuce, creating a perfect texture contrast. A zesty dressing made from Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil ties the flavors together beautifully. Served with crunchy croutons, this dish offers a delightful balance of savory, tangy, and earthy notes. It is an elegant yet simple side dish perfect for lunch, picnics, or as a light starter before a main course. Simple to make with pantry staples, this recipe delivers authentic home-style flavor every time.Ingredients
Directions
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Cook the slab bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, then remove and crumble or chop into small pieces.
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Finely dice the shallot.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil to create a smooth dressing.
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Place the frisée lettuce in a large serving bowl.
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Scatter the diced shallots over the greens.
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Spoon a portion of the warm bacon fat from the skillet over the greens to slightly wilt them.
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Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad.
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Top with the crispy bacon pieces and French bread cubes.
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Toss gently to combine and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 2
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 171.7kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 19.0g30%
- Saturated Fat 2.7g14%
- Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
- Sodium 31.1mg2%
- Total Carbohydrate 0.7g1%
- Dietary Fiber 0.1g1%
- Sugars 0.1g
- Protein 0.3g1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use olive oil to warm the shallots before tossing with the greens.
Ensure the bacon fat is warm but not boiling when poured over the lettuce to achieve a gentle wilt without cooking the greens completely.
Croutons can be made by toasting the French bread cubes in the oven with a little olive oil and salt until golden and crisp.
Serve this salad immediately after dressing to maintain the texture contrast between the crisp bacon/croutons and the tender greens.
