Bibb Salad With Pickled Onion Fennel And Plums Recipes

CREAMY BIBB SALAD

Steps:

• Rinse 2 or 3 anchovy fillets, then puree in a blender with a handful each of chopped chives and parsley and the juice of 1 lemon. Add 1/2 cup mayonnaise and 1/2 cup sour cream and blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, then drizzle over Bibb lettuce.

FRIED SCALLOPS WITH BIBB AND FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• Heat 2 inches vegetable oil (about 3 1/2 cups) in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees F. Soak the sliced fennel in a bowl of ice water; set aside.
• Toss the scallops with 1/2 cup buttermilk and a pinch of salt and pepper in a bowl; set aside. Make the dressing: Puree the remaining 1/4 cup buttermilk and 2 tablespoons vegetable oil with the parsley, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a blender until smooth; set aside. Mix the cornmeal, flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a shallow baking dish.
• Drain the scallops from the buttermilk, dredge in the cornmeal mixture to coat and transfer to a plate. Fry the scallops in two batches until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a rack set on a baking sheet; season with salt. Return the oil to 375 degrees F between batches.
• Drain the fennel and pat dry with paper towels. Combine the fennel, lettuce, radishes and chives in a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss; season with salt and pepper. Divide the salad among bowls and top with the scallops and fennel fronds.

BIBB LETTUCE SALAD

Steps:

• Carefully cut out the core from each head of lettuce and separate the leaves, but keep each head of lettuce together; discard any tough outer leaves. Because each head of lettuce will be reassembled, the easiest way to work is with one head at a time. First, place the leaves in a bowl of cold water to refresh them and remove any dirt, then lift out and spin-dry in a salad spinner.
• Place the leaves from a single head of lettuce in a bowl. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt, a few grinds of pepper, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the shallots and chives, and 1 tablespoon each of the parsley, tarragon, and chervil. Then toss gently with 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Repeat with the remaining heads.
• For each serving, arrange the outer lettuce leaves as a base on the plate and rebuild each head of lettuce, ending with the smallest, most tender leaves.