French Bistro-Style Salade Frisée

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   1. In a small mixing bowl, combine garlic, 1/4 cup of the olive oil, and salt and black pepper to taste. Slice the bread 3/4-inch thick. Brush bothsides of the bread with the oil mixture, cut into cubes to make croutons and either saute or place on a baking sheet and bake until in a preheated 400u00b0 F. oven until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Watch carefully so they don't burn. Set aside.

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   2. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil, add bacon, blanch 5 seconds, then remove and drain well. Cut bacon into 1x1/2-inch pieces. Place a saute pan over medium heat, add bacon and saute until browned. Then, remove the pan from heat. Remove the fat and save for another use or discard and keep the reserved bacon in the warm pan; do not refrigerate the bacon at all.

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   3. Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette by combining the mustard, lemon juice, Balsamic Vinegar, sugar, and pepper in a medium mixing bowl. Mix well and then slowly whisk in the remaining 3/4 cup olive oil until emulsified. Taste the vinaigrette, adding more oil or vinegar to your taste, and season with salt only if necessary. Add HALF the vinaigrette to the pan with the reserved warm bacon, heat until very warm...almost hot and stir. Reserve the remaining vinaigrette.

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   4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the frisee (Endive) with the hot olive oil and bacon mixture.

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   Serving Presentation:

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   To serve, place an equal amount of frisee in a mound in the center of each chilled salad plate. Scatter some croutons on top of the frisee. Using a vegetable peeler, cut very thin slices of the Gruyere and scatter them on top of each salad. Drizzle some of the reserved vinaigrette around the edge of each plate. Serve immediately.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.