Big Country Salad

Name: Big Country Salad
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4 servings
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

By Sam Sifton

Total Time: 15 minutes
Rating: 4(311)
Comments: Read comments

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!

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

¼pound slab bacon, cut into 1-inch-long lardons
½cup fresh bread crumbs
1tablespoon lemon juice
2tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1clove garlic, minced
2teaspoons Dijon mustard
⅓cup extra-virgin olive oil
¼cup good-quality blue cheese, crumbled
Kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
1head romaine lettuce

Ingredient Substitution Guide

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Preparation

Step 1
Fry the bacon over medium heat until almost crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Reserve a splash of bacon fat.
Step 2
Return bacon pan to heat and add the bread crumbs, tossing until just golden. Remove from pan and reserve.
Step 3
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.
Step 4
Roughly chop the lettuce and put in a salad bowl. Add bread crumbs and remaining cheese, then the dressing. Toss to mix. Serve immediately.

Ratings

4 out of 5

311 user ratings

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Comments

NT7 years ago

What might be the best substitute for the blue cheese - have a couple of haters here? Thanks, nt

Mary7 years ago

Call me crazy if you wish. I just had this wonderful salad for breakfast and only left out the breadcrumbs.

Lisa7 years ago

The bacon and remaining cheese is added in step 4. The recipe is written in a shorthand; because the bacon is mixed with the breadcrumbs in step 2, then when the breadcrumbs are added in step 4, by necessity the bacon is also added. :-)

Jan Sheridan11 months ago

We really enjoyed this salad, and agree with others - this would be really good to serve to guests. I followed the recipe to a T but next time I might add 1/4 tsp of sugar to the dressing to counter the acidity. Also, per other comments, I might also add grape tomatoes for extra color, flavor and texture.

Stephanie in Davis1 year ago

Made it exactly as written. Family liked it.

mmerlino2 years ago

So great! But I think directions are kinda backwards. Made dressing, assembled greens, tomatoes, and cheese. THEN cooked bacon and then bread in drippings (plus garlic and a bit of olive oil). And I did small bread croutons not crumbs.

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