Green Salad with Fried Shallots

For the salad, use whatever small young greens (baby spinach, arugula, or watercress, for example) and other fresh goodies you find.

1/2 pound shallots
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil for frying
6 ounces mixed greens; about 6 cups loosely packed)
1/3 cup sprouts
1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
sea salt to taste

Cut shallots into 1/8-inch-thick slices. In a heavy 10-inch skillet cook shallots in oil over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, 15 to 20 minutes. With a slotted spoon transfer shallots to paper towels to drain and season with salt. Reserve 3 tablespoons oil for dressing salad and cool shallots to room temperature. Shallots may be fried 2 days ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature.

Just before serving, in a large bowl toss together greens, sprouts, reserved oil, vinegar, and sea salt. Sprinkle shallots over salad. Serves 6.