I enjoy making my own salad dressing, playing with the proportions and ingredient to accommodate my taste preference. I am a proponent of texture and multi-layered flavor – give me: salty, sweet, smooth, crunchy, earthy, tangy, bitter, nutty, briny… tossing a salad is foolproof way to do just that. Salad in general is a great way to be your own chef and eat seasonally. During a recent stroll through my local famer’s market I was inspired to play a little with salad dishes.
Vinaigrette Dressing
- ½ C Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ¼ C Fresh Grapefruit juice, from a mild white variety
- (optional, can use another form of acid such as white vinegar, balsamic, red
- wine vinegar, or another form of citrus)
- 2 splashes of red wine vinegar (again optional, I like a complex vinegary bite)
- 2 T Dijon mustard
- 6 chives, chopped
- Salt + Pepper, to taste
Combine ingredients by whisking or in a food processor. Store in shake-able container, like a mason jar.
Citrus Salad
I enjoy the peppery, bitter flavor of arugula complimented with the sweetness of the fruit, saltiness of the parmesan, and tanginess of the dressing
- Arugula
- Grapefruit, segmented
- Orange, segmented
- Chopped chives
- Fresh Shaved Parmesan
- Vinaigrette dressing
Add a Little Bacon
In an attempt use ingredients I already had on hand and satisfy my craving for salty, crispy bacon I tossed this salad together. I appreciate the brightness of the grapefruit and raspberries alongside the crisp, meaty bacon pieces.
- Arugula
- Ruby Red Grapefruit, segmented and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- Raspberries
- Freshly grated parmesan
- Cornmeal baked bacon, crumbled (see below)
- Toss with vinaigrette dressing
Cornmeal Baked Bacon
By baking your bacon you can cut down on the grease-splattering mess and the cornmeal gives the bacon an extra crunch. Perfect crumbled on salad, with eggs, or ice cream with a caramel sauce.
Line baking sheet with foil.
Pour cornmeal in a ziptop bag or bowl.
Dredge bacon in cornmeal, shake off excess.
Place bacon on foil-lined sheet, do not crowd.
Optional: To give a little smoky heat sprinkle with chili powder.
Bake at 400 degrees for about 17-20 minutes, until crisp.
Place bacon on paper towel, allowing grease to drain and the bacon to cool slightly.
Crumble or simply enjoy.