Curly Endive Salad With Bacon Food

CURLY ENDIVE AND APPLE SMOKED BACON SALAD

Steps:

• Place bacon in a hot skillet over low heat. Cook completely to render fat. Remove lardons from skillet and reserve on paper towels. From the skillet remove 2 tablespoons of rendered fat to a bowl. Add shallots to fat. Stir in mustard and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk in oil until dressing is emulsified.
• Toss chicory pieces with bacon, vinaigrette and croutons.

CURLY ENDIVE SALAD WITH WARM BACON DRESSING

Steps:

• Combine sugar and flour in small bowl. Gradually whisk in vinegar, then egg. Whisk in broth.
• Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium heat until crisp and brown. Whisk in vinegar mixture. Stir until dressing comes to simmer and thickens. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 hour ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Rewarm over low heat before continuing.)
• Place endive in large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat. Serve, passing remaining dressing separately.

CURLY ENDIVE SALAD

Steps:

• In a large salad bowl, toss together both endives and the onion. Sprinkle with the vinegar, oil and salt and toss again. If a little more oil or vinegar is needed, do so in small increments and taste as you go. The salad should be well seasoned and dressed but not soggy.
• Voila!

DUTCH POTATO PURéE WITH CURLY ENDIVE & BACON

Steps:

• Wash and peel the potatoes and cut into similarly sized pieces for even cooking. In a large soup pot, boil the potatoes in salted water for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, wash the head of curly endive thoroughly under cool running water to get rid of all soil - you wouldn't want that gritty texture in your finished dish. Trim any coarse stems and discard any brown leaves. Spin the salad leaves dry using a salad spinner. With a sharp knife, cut the curly endive into thin strips.
• Fry the bacon in a frying pan, until just crispy. Drain on kitchen paper and crumble into small pieces. Warm the milk in a small saucepan.
• Drain, shake and dry the potatoes with kitchen towels before mashing with a potato masher or ricer. Working quickly, add the warm milk and butter. Season to taste with nutmeg, salt and white pepper.
• Mix the raw curly endive through the cooked mashed potato mixture. Add the bacon, mix again, and serve piping hot. Tips:

CURLY ENDIVE SALAD WITH CRANBERRY-BACON VINAIGRETTE AND BLUE CHEESE PASTRIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Unfold pastry onto work service. Using 2-inch- diameter scalloped cookie cutter, cut out 12 rounds. Using 1-inch-diameter cookie cutter, cut out centers of 6 pastry rounds. Discard centers. Pierce 2-inch rounds all over with fork. Brush edges with egg glaze. Top with pastry rings, pressing gently. Transfer to large baking sheet. Bake until puffed and golden, about 10 minutes. Transfer to rack; cool. Pull out uncooked portion from centers of pastries and discard. (Can be made 8 hours ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.)
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Cook bacon in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels. Pour 3 tablespoons bacon drippings into small bowl. Discard all but 1 teaspoon of remaining drippings from skillet. Add shallots to drippings in skillet; sauté over medium-high heat until tender, about 3 minutes. Add Port and cranberries and bring to boil, scraping any browned bits. Boil until cranberries are soft and liquid is reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Add reserved 3 tablespoons bacon drippings and stir just until warm. Pour vinegar into small bowl. Gradually whisk in Port mixture.
• Meanwhile, place pastries on baking sheet. Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon cheese into center of each. Bake until cheese is soft, about 6 minutes.
• Place endive in large bowl. Pour warm dressing over and toss. Divide greens among 6 plates. Sprinkle with bacon. Top each with 1 pastry and serve.

CURLY ENDIVE SALAD

Steps:

• In a salad bowl, toss the endive, onion and olives. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the oil, vinegar, oregano, mint, salt and pepper; shake well. Drizzle over salad and toss to coat. Top with cheese.

WARM BACON ENDIVE DRESSING

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels; drain, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings. Set bacon aside. Saute the onion in the drippings until tender. Add the sugar, cornstarch, salt and vinegar; stir until smooth. Gradually stir in the milk until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat. , Stir a small amount of hot mixture into egg; return all to the pan; stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat., In a large salad bowl, combine the endive, hard-boiled eggs and reserved bacon. Add desired amount of warm dressing; toss to coat. Refrigerate leftover dressing.