Ingredients

1 tablespoon champagne vinegar

1 tablespoon grainy Dijon mustard

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

3 to 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 cup walnut halves, toasted and finely chopped

8 cipollini onions (about 4 ounces), peeled and halved if desired

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 medium apple (preferably Golden Delicious), cored and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices

8 slices French cooked ham or boiled ham

1 head Bibb or Boston lettuce, leaves separated

3 ounces Gruyere cheese, thinly sliced

8 slices rustic bread, for serving

Preparation

Make the dressing: Whisk champagne vinegar, mustard, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Gradually add oil, whisking until emulsified. Stir in walnuts. Season with pepper. Set aside.

Stir onions, balsamic vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a skillet; season with pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions have absorbed most of the liquid, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain. Let onions cool.

Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add apple; cook, flipping once, until just beginning to brown and soften, 1 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from heat; set aside.

To serve, arrange 2 slices of ham on each of 4 plates. Toss lettuce with dressing; divide among plates. Arrange cheese and apple slices on top, evenly dividing among plates. Garnish each plate with 2 onions. Serve with bread.