Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 1 head escarole or frisee or other bitter leaves of choice
- 1 teaspoon garlic oil
- 7 ounces (3/4 cup) smoked lardoons, or about 14 slices smoked bacon, cut into chunks
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 4 teaspoons cider vinegar
- Dash Worcestershire sauce
- Small bunch flat-leaf parsley, leaves chopped
Directions
Put the eggs into a saucepan of water, over medium heat. Bring to boil, and cook for 1 minute, then turn off the heat and let the eggs sit in the pan for 10 minutes.
Transfer the eggs to a bowl of cold water and let cool. Peel the eggs once they feel cool to the touch.
Cook's Note: I cook my eggs this way, as I love the yolks to be only just or rather almost hard-boiled, with the memory of oozy goldenness still evident at the centre; it also keeps the white amazingly silky. If, however you prefer a proper, good and bouncy reassuringly hard-boiled egg, cooked until the yolks are powdery and compact, keep the heat on under the pan for 10 minutes. The same applies, if you're making this for anyone with a compromised immune system, such as the old and frail, very young or pregnant women.
Meanwhile, tear the salad leaves into bite-sized pieces and drop them into a serving bowl.
Heat the garlic oil in a small frying pan, over medium heat and fry the lardons or bacon until crisp, about 5 minutes or so. Transfer the lardons or bacon with a slotted spatula to some paper towels to drain, while you make the dressing.
Add the Dijon mustard to the bacon juices in the pan and whisk to combine, then add the vinegar and a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Whisk again, then pour it over the salad leaves, tossing to mix.
Add the lardons and toss again, then quarter the eggs and add them along with the chopped parsley. Gently mix to combine, trying not to break up the eggs.
Make Ahead Note:
The hard-boiled eggs can be made up 4 days ahead. Cool, leave the shells and store in an air tight container in the refrigerator. Remove the shells just before serving.
















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By hedur
Los Angeles, CA
on November 08, 2012
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Nigella, you're a genius. I've tried to perfect the yolk-done-yet-still-golden hard boiled egg for years. I always ended up with the powdery center or it still oozing (which is great for a sunny side up but not what you want in a hard boiled egg. Your method worked to perfection. I'll never boil my eggs another way again. Obviously, my review is only for the eggs but I'm sure the salad is delicious. How could it not be considering the ingredients?
By jaja0
flordia
on August 01, 2012
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I just made this for lunch and was it ever , well, to die for. My husband could not stop raving about how good it was. I, like the others, added my own touch. Some blue cheese and tomatoes but did not changes any thing other than that. The eggs done this way are great.
By brycat_7618571
San Dimas, CA
on March 22, 2011
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Such a good recipe!!!!, I used baby spinach and and added some chopped hot house tomato and onion, Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm So good!!!!!!!
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