Smoked Salmon Crispy Bacon And Maytag Blue Cheese Salad Recipes

SMOKED SALMON, CRISPY BACON, AND MAYTAG BLUE CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Place the bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook until brown and crispy, about 8 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pan, drain on paper towels, and reserve.
• In a food processor, fitted with a metal blade, combine the egg, mustard, vinegar, and garlic. Puree until smooth. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil until all the oil is incorporated and the mixture is thick. With the machine running add 4 ounces of the blue cheese and the buttermilk. Season the dressing with salt, pepper, and pepper sauce.
• In a mixing bowl, toss the spinach and red onions with as much dressing, as desired. Season the salad with salt and pepper. Mound the greens in the center of each plate. Crumble the salmon over the greens. Sprinkle each salad with the reserved crispy bacon, and remaining blue cheese. Garnish with the quartered eggs and serve immediately.
• In a small bowl combine the salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne. Season the salmon on all sides with the spice mixture. Wrap the entire seasoned fillet with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or up to 8 hours.
• Prepare a stovetop smoker according to the manufacturer's directions.
• Unwrap the salmon and place skin side down on the rack in the smoker. Place the smoker over medium heat (or as directed by the manufacturer), cover, and cook until the salmon is firm and flakes easily, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove the salmon from the smoker and cool.

ASIAN PEAR SALAD WITH TAMARI PECANS AND MAYTAG BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the vinegar and syrup. Whisk in the oil and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the greens, pecans and currants. Sprinkle with the cheese and season lightly with salt and pepper. Whisk the dressing again and drizzle it over the salad.
• Toss the salad gently and briefly; you do not want the cheese to crumble any further and clump together.
• Divide the salad among 4 chilled salad plates. Fan the pear slices over each serving.
• Put the pear juice in a saucepan and set over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and skim the thick foam that rises to the surface.
• Reduce the heat to low and simmer very gently, skimming occasionally, for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the juice reduces to the consistency of maple syrup.
• Let cool to room temperature. Use now or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 weeks.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a shallow bowl, stir the tamari and molasses together to blend. Season with cayenne and salt, to taste.
• Add the pecans and toss until they are coated. Transfer the pecans to a clean kitchen towel and let drain briefly.
• Spread the pecans on a wire rack set on a baking sheet and roast for about 10 minutes, or until fairly dry and toasted.
• Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the rack. Chop the pecans into 1/4-inch pieces.