Salade Vosgienne

This is a hearty warm salad recipe from the Vosges Mountains in the Lorraine region of eastern France. The Vosges is a range of low mountains, across the border from the Black Forest in Germany.

Ingredients:

• 4-5 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 4 eggs, poached or hard boiled
• 1/2 cup to 1 cup smoked bacon, diced
• About 1 cup baguette croutons
• 1 1/2 tbsp butter
• Selection of salad greens
• 3/4 cup crème fraîche or heavy cream
• 2-3 tbsp vinegar
• Gruyère cheese, grated
• Salt and pepper

Preparation:

1. Sauté the diced potatoes.
2. Poach or hard-boil the eggs. If making poached eggs, add vinegar to boiling water before dropping the eggs in it.
3. Melt the butter in a skillet, brown the croutons and bacon, and drain on paper towels.
4. Deglaze pan with vinegar. Add the cream, salt and pepper. Reduce and adjust seasonings.
5. Dress the greens and arrange on plates. Place diced potatoes on top. Top with the bacon and croutons.
6. Place 1 poached egg on top. If using hard-boiled eggs, cut into quarters and arrange around the plate.
7. Top with grated Gruyère.
8. YIELD: Serves 4