Author Notes: Normally I pass over any dressing that requires anything more than a bowl and a whisk, but this dressing is well worth the extra dishes. Acidic, sweet, salty, crunchy, decadent, fresh- this salad hits all of the notes! I love how the acidic sweetness of the dressing complements the savory saltiness of the bacon. Pair the clean fresh flavors of the fennel and celery root with a combination of bitter and substantial greens and you will not be sorry you made the effort. This would be fantastic with duck or a big wedge of stinky cheese and served as an entree. – wanderash —wanderash
Food52 Review: Wanderash is right — this salad isn’t wimpy or chaste, with its sultry, thyme-laced caramel apple dressing and bacony chew. But for every lardon, there’s a crunchy hit of celery root, a shard of fennel and tart apple, and by the time you’ve emptied your bowl, you’re sated and happy and have forgotten the chill of the outside world. The dressing recipe makes much more than you need, but you won’t mind. Make more salad or warm it gently to drizzle over a pork chop or duck breast. – A&M —The Editors
Serves: 4-6
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients
For the salad:
-
4
handfuls mixed greens, about 6 oz.
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1/4
celery root, peeled and very thinly sliced or cut into matchsticks
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1
fennel bulb, very thinly sliced
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3/4
cup pecans, toasted
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5
slices lardons or thick cut bacon, cut into lardons
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1
tart apple, thinly sliced into half moons
Caramelized Apple Vinaigrette
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2
ounces brown sugar
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3
ounces plus 1 ounce apple cider vinegar
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1
clove garlic, minced
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1
gala apple, peeled, cored and medium diced
-
1
lemon
-
4
ounces olive oil
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2
ounces canola oil
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1
teaspoon fresh thyme
-
salt
Directions
For the salad:
- In a heavy skillet cook lardons over moderate heat. Stir occasionally until crispy on all sides and reserve on a paper towel to drain fat.
- Place all of the salad ingredients in a large bowl. Pour 1/4 of the dressing over the salad and toss well.
- Taste a piece of lettuce and add more dressing depending on your preference.
Caramelized Apple Vinaigrette
- In a small skillet over medium heat add 3 ounces vinegar and the sugar. Let it reduce until the color turns a dark caramel color and begins to thicken. You will start to see big foamy bubbles on the surface.
- Add the apples and garlic and sauté until the apples are cooked through, about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Remove from heat and put in the blender with 1 ounce of vinegar, thyme, juice of ½ lemon and a pinch of salt. Woosh until blended, then slowly add the oil. Blend until the dressing is emulsified. Taste and season with salt and perhaps a splash more vinegar.
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In no particular order: pecans, bacon cut into lardons, thyme, fennel, brown sugar, mesclun, lemon, one of two apples (this one's a tart McIntosh), and garlic. Celery root didn't get the memo…
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Readying the mise en place — thyme leaves stripped, fennel shaved, garlic mincing away.
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Lonesome without Merrill, Amanda finds comfort in her new pet celery root.
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Bacon! Render the fat out slowly and you'll be rewarded with crisp, meaty lardons.
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Don't get lazy — toast those pecans to crisp them up and intensify their nutty flavor. We ran them under the broiler but a dry pan on the stovetop works too.
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Amanda sheds the celery root's rough skin to reveal a cool, crunchy interior.
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Take 5 for a staring contest.
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Celery root trimmed into thin shards, Amanda moves on to dice the gala apple for the dressing.
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Cider vinegar and brown sugar caramelize. Watch out — the vapors will prick your eyes and nose, but it's worth it for the addictive tart-sweet backdrop it lends to the dressing.
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In go the apples and garlic to soften for about 5 minutes.
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We love blender salad dressings — more cider vinegar, thyme, lemon juice and salt join the party.
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Drizzle in the olive oil (or just dump it in and let the blender do the work).
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Magic, or at least emulsification. We could drink this stuff.
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You want a tart, crisp apple for the salad — we used a local McIntosh.
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Amanda's poised to dig in and go all Alice Waters on that salad.
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But first, a taste test.
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The dressing passes muster, and joins its friends in the salad bowl.
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A thorough toss — done and done!
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