Via Carlota Green Salad

I read this salad dressing recipe in detail, and while I did not follow it to a T, which the article in the New York Times states is critical to success, I did make one of the best salad dressings that I have made in a long time, and I did follow some principles.  I used locally grown flavorful lettuce because it is way better than anything that I can buy, but this is well worth reading through from beginning to end.

• 2 heads butter lettuce, such as Boston or bibb
• 1 romaine heart
• 1 large Belgian endive
• 1 bunch watercress
• ½ small head frisée

For the dressing:

• 1 large shallot, minced
• 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon aged sherry vinegar, plus additional, as needed
• 1 tablespoon warm water
• 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 ½ teaspoons whole-grain mustard
• 1 ½ teaspoons honey (optional)
• 2 sprigs thyme, washed and stripped
• 1 large clove garlic, finely grated
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Wash the greens: Fill a sink or large basin with tepid water. Remove any wilted or damaged leaves from the butter lettuce, romaine and endive. Trim each head at the root to release whole leaves. Leave butter-lettuce leaves whole, but halve large leaves of romaine and endive on the bias, then drop into water. Trim and discard any roots and long stems off watercress, and drop remaining leaves and tender stems into water. Trim and discard dark green outer leaves and tops from frisée until only light green and white parts remain. Trim at the root to release leaves, and drop into water. Swirl greens in water, then drain. Wash twice more in cool, then cold, water, then transfer to a salad spinner to dry. Gently wrap in clean dish towels, and set aside.
2. Place the shallot in a fine-mesh strainer, and quickly rinse with cold water. Allow to drain, then place in a medium bowl, and add vinegar and warm water. Allow to sit for 2 minutes, then whisk in oil, mustards, honey (if using), thyme, garlic and a large pinch of salt. Taste, and adjust salt and vinegar as needed.
3. To serve, gently pile a generous handful of greens into a serving bowl, then sprinkle with salt, pepper and a generous drizzle of dressing. Continue with another handful of salad and more seasoning and dressing, repeating until you have a glorious, gravity-defying mound of salad. Top with a final drizzle of dressing, and serve immediately.