Whether Lyon ever was the gastronomic capital of France is debatable, but it sure has spawned some great dishes, including salade Lyonnaise, not the most simple salad ever made but one that approaches perfection in a way others do not. The combination of bitter greens (traditionally frisée, though escarole, dandelion, and arugula all work beautifully), crisp bacon, barely cooked eggs and warm vinaigrette is really unbeatable.

Featured in: The Secret To A Great Salade Lyonnaise. – Mark Bittman

Ingredients

• 4 cups torn frisée or other strong-tasting greens, washed and dried
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
•  About 1/2 pound good slab bacon or pancetta, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 shallot, chopped, or 1 tablespoon chopped red onion
• 2 to 4 tablespoons top-quality sherry vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
•  Salt
• 4 eggs
•  Black pepper

Instructions

1. Put frisée or other greens in large salad bowl. Put olive oil in skillet over medium heat. When hot, add bacon and cook slowly until crisp all over, about 10 minutes. Add shallot or onion and cook until softened, a minute or two. Add vinegar and mustard to the skillet and bring just to a boil, stirring, then turn off heat.
2. Meanwhile, bring about an inch of salted water to a boil in a small, deep skillet, then lower heat to barely bubbling. One at a time, break eggs into a shallow bowl and slip them into the bubbling water. Cook eggs for 3 to 5 minutes, just until the white is set and the yolk has filmed over. Remove each egg with a slotted spoon and drain briefly on paper towel.
3. If necessary, gently reheat dressing, then pour over greens (they should wilt just a bit), toss and season with salt and pepper to taste. Top each portion with an egg and serve immediately. (Each person gets to break the egg.)

Salade Lyonnaise from Mark Bittman of the New York Times

The Bacon diced and ready to cook

The shallots and bacon are just about ready for the salade

Poaching the eggs