Endive and frisee salad with truffle vinaigrette recipe

This light salad combines the crunch of Belgian endive and frisee with candied nuts and the heady aroma of truffles, giving it more than a touch of elegance. It's one of the star starters on the menu at Le Saint Amour, an authentic (and fantastic) French brasserie in Culver City. Chef-owner Bruno Herve-Commereuc is justly famous for his pates, sausages and head cheese, and the roast chicken and confit de canard (duck) are out of this world, but for me, this salad stole the show. Chef Bruno, who runs Le Saint Amour with his wife Florence, kindly shared the recipe.

Read the Culver City Restaurant Examiner's review of Le Saint Amour - she calls it a "welcomed arrival to the Culver City dining scene."

Endive and frisee salad with truffle vinaigrette

• 1 cup walnuts
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 cup frisee, torn into small pieces
• 1 cup Belgian endive, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup baby arugula
• 1/2 cup mache (lamb's-ear lettuce)
• 1 large shallot, minced
• 2 Tbsp minced chives
• 2 Tbsp minced parsley
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2 Tbsp sherry vinegar
• 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup white truffle oil
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup Roquefort cheese, crumbled

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Put the walnuts on a tray, sprinkle with the sugar and cayenne, and bake about 20 minutes or until brown. Let cool and chop coarsely.

In a large bowl, mix the frisee, endive, arugula, mache, shallot, chives and parsley.

In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard and vinegars. Add the truffle oil and olive oil slowly, whisking while you pour. Add a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper, and taste. Adjust the seasonings. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat the leaves.

To serve, place the salad on a plate and sprinkle with the crumbled cheese and chopped nuts. Serves 4 as a first course.

For the professional version of this salad, as well as a host of other authentic and delicious French dishes, visit Le Saint Amour, 9725 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232. Phone: 310-842-8155. Email: lestamour@gmail.com