Garden Cobb Salad Recipes

COBB SALAD

Steps:

• In a blender, combine the first 8 ingredients. While processing, gradually add canola and olive oils in a steady stream., In a large bowl, combine the romaine, endive and half of the watercress; toss lightly. Transfer to a serving platter. Arrange the chicken, tomatoes, avocado, eggs, cheese and bacon over the greens; sprinkle with chives. Top with remaining watercress. Cover and chill until serving., To serve, drizzle 1 cup dressing over salad. Serve with remaining dressing if desired.

COBB SALAD

Steps:

• Place eggs in a saucepan and cover completely with cold water. Bring water to a boil. Cover, remove from heat, and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.
• Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
• Divide shredded lettuce among individual plates.
• Evenly divide and arrange chicken, eggs, tomatoes, blue cheese, bacon, avocado and green onions in a row on top of the lettuce.
• Drizzle with your favorite dressing and enjoy.

ROAST CHICKEN COBB SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Arrange 2 racks evenly spaced in the oven.
• Place the chicken breasts, skin side up, on one sheet pan. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, rub the tops completely with olive oil, and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, until a meat thermometer registers 140 degrees. Cover with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes. When cool enough to handle, discard the skin and bones, and cut the chicken in 1-inch dice.
• At the same time, place a baking rack on the second sheet pan and lay the bacon out on the rack in one layer. Roast the bacon for 20 to 25 minutes in the same oven with the chicken, until browned and cooked. Set the bacon aside, until cool enough to handle and cut in large dice.
• Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette: Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, mustard, salt, and pepper in a measuring cup and set aside.
• Cut the avocados in half, remove the seeds, and peel. Cut into 1-inch dice, toss with the lemon juice, and set aside.
• Place the chicken and tomatoes in a large serving bowl. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper and enough vinaigrette to moisten. Toss well. Add the avocados, bacon, Stilton, arugula, and additional vinaigrette and toss carefully. Serve at room temperature.

CLASSIC COBB SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat, stirring, until crisp, 15 to 20 minutes; transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Meanwhile, place the eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water by about 1 inch. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then cover, remove from the heat and let stand, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain, then run under cold water to cool. Peel under cold running water. Chop the hard-cooked eggs and season with salt.
• Combine the chicken, lemon zest and juice, bay leaves, thyme, peppercorns and a large pinch of salt in a medium saucepan; add enough cold water to cover the chicken by 1/2 inch. Bring to a bare simmer over medium heat (do not boil) and cook until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 160 degrees F, about 7 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the dressing: Whisk the vinegar, shallot, mustard and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a serving bowl. Whisk in the olive oil in a slow, steady stream until emulsified; season with pepper. Dice the chicken and toss with 1 tablespoon of the dressing in a separate bowl.
• Halve, pit and dice the avocados. Season the tomatoes with salt. Add the Bibb and romaine lettuce to the serving bowl on top of the dressing. Arrange the bacon, hard-cooked eggs, chicken, avocados, tomatoes and blue cheese in rows on top of the lettuce. When ready to serve, toss the salad and season with salt and pepper.

PERFECT GARDEN SALAD

Steps:

• Tear lettuce into bite sized pieces and wash and dry thoroughly. Place in large salad bowl (wider than it is deep). Top with prepared vegetables.
• Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cheese. Go lightly until you learn how much is "to taste" for you.
• Pour oil over salad, then vinegar. It is important that the oil be first. Quantity requires a bit of practice - go light on the vinegar at first. You can add more if needed. Aim to coat the top layer of vegetables. Toss until well mixed. Taste - add vinegar or oil if needed, and toss again. Do not add dry ingredients (see below). Serve immediately.
• Note: Your first couple salads may not be perfect. If you find that you didn't add enough salt or pepper, let diners add more as served - you can't get it well dispersed if you add to the salad bowl after the oil and vinegar have been added If you find that you added too much vinegar, a little salt can counteract - again, add as served.