Bread and Smoked Bacon Salad with Crispy Croutons

Instructions

1. 1

   Slice young garlic shoots into small pieces and confit gently in olive oil over very low heat until tender

2. 2

   Wash salad greens and endive by hand, cutting them and soaking in abundant salted water to prevent bruising and maintain crispness, then drain completely and pat dry

3. 3

   Clean endive leaves individually with a damp cloth and set aside

4. 4

   Cut smoked bacon into small cubes and dice bread crumb into similar-sized pieces

5. 5

   Heat 6-7 tablespoons of the oil used for confiting garlic in a pan over high heat, then fry bacon and bread cubes until crispy

6. 6

   In a bowl, whisk together salt, vinegar, olive oil, and mustard to create vinaigrette

7. 7

   Toss salad greens and arugula with vinaigrette

8. 8

   Arrange dressed greens in center of serving platter, surround with confited garlic cloves, top with crispy bread and bacon mixture, and arrange endive leaves around the edges

9. 9

   Make additional vinaigrette using residual mixture in bowl and drizzle over finished salad