Canlis Salad

 

INGREDIENTS

• 2 heads of romaine, outer leaves discarded, chopped
• 4 bacon slices, chopped
• 1 cup cubed fresh Italian bread
• 1 egg
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ½ cup olive oil
•  Kosher salt and black pepper
• ½ cup scallions, thinly sliced
• ¾ cup fresh mint, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves, roughly chopped
• 12 cherry tomatoes, halved
• ¾ cup freshly grated Romano cheese

PREPARATION

1. Wash the lettuce in cold water, dry thoroughly and put in the refrigerator to chill.
2. In a large pan set over medium-high heat, fry the bacon until it is nearly crisp, then remove to a bowl. Drain off all but one tablespoon of fat, then add the bread cubes to the pan and toss to coat. Bring heat to low and toast, tossing the bread occasionally with a spoon until it is crisp. Remove to another bowl.
3. Make the dressing. Place a whole egg in its shell into a coffee cup, then pour boiling water over the top. Allow the egg to cook for 60 seconds, then remove it. Rinse with water until cool. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and olive oil, then crack the coddled egg into the bowl and whisk again, vigorously, to emulsify. Add salt and pepper to taste, then set aside.
4. In a salad bowl, combine cold lettuce, scallions, mint, oregano and the reserved bacon. Toss with enough dressing to coat the lettuce, then top with the tomatoes, the croutons and a goodly shower of cheese.