Garden Salad With Warm Bacon Vinaigrette Recipes

WARM ROASTED VEGETABLE SALAD WITH BACON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Toss the asparagus, potatoes, artichokes and onion together in a large bowl along with the olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper so that all the ingredients are well mixed.
• Divide the vegetables evenly between 2 sheet pans, and give the pans a shake so that the veggies spread into an even layer. Roast the vegetables, rotating the pans halfway through cooking, for 15 minutes.
• Transfer the roasted vegetables to a large mixing bowl and toss with the Bacon Vinaigrette and chiffonaded basil. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper.
• Cook the bacon in a 10-inch saute pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the bacon is browned and crisp at the edges, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pan and place on a plate lined with a paper towel. Pat the bacon pieces dry with a paper towel to remove excess grease. Reserve 3 tablespoons of the rendered bacon fat from the pan.
• In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, honey and reserved bacon fat, along with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper until smooth. Taste and add additional salt and pepper as desired.

COBB SALAD WITH WARM BACON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Toss together romaine and spinach in a large bowl.
• Cook bacon, stirring occasionally, in a heavy medium skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
• Discard all but about 2 tablespoons bacon fat and add oil to skillet. Pat chicken dry and season with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high and cook chicken, turning over once, until golden brown and just cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes total. Transfer chicken to a plate.
• Reduce heat to medium and add vinegars and mustard to skillet. Boil, scraping up brown bits, 30 seconds. Stir in any juices from chicken.
• Toss salad greens with bacon vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper. Top salad with chicken, eggs, tomato, sliced avocado, blue cheese, and bacon.

BROCCOLI SALAD WITH CHEDDAR AND WARM BACON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of generously salted (use about 1/2 cup kosher salt) water to a boil. Set up an ice bath next to the stove and generously salt (about 1/4 cup kosher salt) that water as well.
• Cut the broccoli stems from the heads; slice the florets into small pieces, each about 1-inch long. Peel the stems with a peeler and cut each stem in half lengthwise, then slice into 1/2-inch-thick half-moons. Add broccoli to the boiling water and blanch for 30 seconds; transfer to the ice water to shock the broccoli and stop the cooking. Drain broccoli in a colander, then set aside (still in the colander) to drain completely.
• In a large dry skillet, toast pecans over medium heat until they smell nutty, about 1 minute; remove pecans and set aside. Return skillet to medium heat and add bacon and oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until bacon has rendered its fat and is crispy, about 10 minutes. Turn heat to low and whisk in mustard and vinegar. Add green onions and pecans and season generously with black pepper.
• In a large bowl, combine broccoli and grapes. Pour the contents of the skillet into the bowl and toss to combine; season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with the cheddar and toss right before serving.