Dandelion Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

Recipe By: Calphalon Team  -  Originally Published: 10/19/2011

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Dandelion greens are refreshing and different and beautiful. Remember to use the stems and leaves, and the buds (the not-yet-opened flowers), but not the roots. Covering your greens with a lightly tossed warm dressing with crumbled bacon adds a whole new dimension to your enjoyment of this dish. With the egg garnish, you have a perfectly delightful lunch salad that can be served on the side or as a main dish.

  • Servings: Serves 2-4
  • Prep Time: Less than 30 Minutes
  • Cook Time: Less than 60 Minutes
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Course: Salad

Ingredients

The Greens
Large bunch of Dandelion greens.
Best when eaten before the flower has appeared. The buds (which haven't flowered) taste good and may be included. Be sure that the root is cut away.

Dressing
4 strips thick-cut bacon, cut in 1/4-inch dice; sautéed until crisp; crumbled
1 cup Spanish onion, cut in 1/4-inch dice
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. dried rosemary
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. celery seed
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp. prepared mustard
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Garnish
3-4 hard cooked eggs, cut  lengthwise in quarters
3-4 slices medium red onion, 1/4-in. thick, separated into rings

Directions

Wash and dry the dandelion greens. A salad spinner is great for drying the greens.Put greens in a large bowl (which allows room for tossing).

Preheat a 2 or 3 qt. sauté pan. When the rim of the pan is hot to the touch, add the bacon and sauté until bacon is crisp. Remove bacon to paper towels to drain. Discard half of the rendered fat from the bacon. Keep the remaining fat in the sauté pan, return to the heat. Add the Spanish onion and sauté until tender (3-5 minutes). Add the dry ingredients (seasonings) to the pan and sauté an additional minute. Add the vinegars, mustard and brown sugar. Reduce heat, stir and simmer. Add the oil.

Crumble the bacon and sprinkle over greens. Pour the warm dressing over the greens and toss to coat. Arrange the Garnish of eggs and red onion rings on top of the salad, and serve immediately.