Ingredients

  • 2 large heads garlic
  • 1/4 cup dry vermouth
  • 3 1/2 tablespoons plus 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
  • 3 cups 1-inch French bread cubes
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Dash of hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)
  • 1 head curly endive, trimmed
  • 1 large head romaine lettuce, torn into pieces
  • 1 1/4 cups grated Asiago or Parmesan cheese (about 5 ounces)

Method

  • Preheat oven to 300F.
  • Peel off papery outer skin from whole garlic, keeping heads in tact.
  • Place in small casserole dish.
  • Pour vermouth over.
  • Drizzle 1 tablespoon oil over garlic.
  • Season with pepper.
  • Cover; bake until garlic is very soft and pastelike, about 1 1/2 hours.
  • Cool garlic.
  • Increase oven temperature to 350F.
  • Mix 2 1/2 tablespoon oil and rosemary on baking sheet.
  • Season with pepper.
  • Add bread cubes and turn cubes in oil mixture to coat.
  • Bake until lightly toasted, about 15 minutes.
  • Cool.
  • Squeeze garlic to remove cloves from skins.
  • Place in small bowl and mash with fork to form paste.
  • Transfer paste to blender.
  • Add fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, anchovy paste, Worcestershire sauce and hot pepper sauce and puree.
  • With machine running, gradually add 1/3 cup olive oil.
  • (Croutons and dressing can be made 2 hours ahead.
  • Let stand at room temperature.)
  • Reserve outer endive leaves for another use.
  • Tear enough inner yellow leaves into bite-size pieces to measure 3 cups.
  • Place in large bowl.
  • Add romaine.
  • Pour dressing over.
  • Toss well.
  • Sprinkle cheese and croutons over salad.
  • Toss gently.
  • Season with pepper and serve.