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Chicory, Fried Ham, and Pear Salad

5.0

(4)

Substituting fried ham for bacon is a great use of everyday deli meat. The sweet pears mellow chicory's pleasant bitterness.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    20 min

  • Yield

    Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

2/3 cup well-shaken buttermilk
1/4 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons finely chopped chives
1 teaspoon white-wine vinegar
Rounded 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 pound thinly sliced Black Forest or other baked deli ham
2 firm-ripe Bartlett pears (8 ounces total; preferably red)
1 (1-pound) head chicory (curly endive), chopped crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces (10 cups)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Whisk together buttermilk, mayonnaise, chives, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth.

    Step 2

    Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Reduce heat to moderate and fry ham, 2 slices at a time, turning over once, until golden brown and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer with tongs to paper towels to drain and cool slightly. Stack fried ham and chop into roughly 1- to 2-inch pieces.

    Step 3

    Halve pears lengthwise and core, then cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices.

    Step 4

    Combine chicory, ham, and pear slices in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat.

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