Cobb Salad

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Cobb Salad: A Classic American Icon of Flavor!

Get ready to assemble a beautiful and incredibly satisfying meal with this Cobb Salad! This iconic American salad is a vibrant symphony of flavors and textures, featuring crisp romaine lettuce as a base, generously topped with rows of tender cooked chicken, crispy bacon, perfectly hard-boiled eggs, creamy avocado, juicy cherry tomatoes, pungent blue cheese, and thinly sliced red onion. All brought together with your favorite dressing, typically a creamy ranch.

The Cobb Salad is a true culinary classic for a reason: it’s hearty, fresh, and offers a delightful combination of savory, salty, creamy, and crisp elements in every bite. It’s perfect for a substantial lunch, a light dinner, or an impressive dish for entertaining!

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced (rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken works great)
  • 4 bacon strips, cooked until crispy and crumbled
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup blue cheese, crumbled
  • ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup ranch dressing (or dressing of choice, such as a red wine vinaigrette)
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste

Equipment:

  • Large serving platter or shallow salad bowl
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp knife
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Base: Arrange the chopped romaine lettuce evenly on a large serving platter or in a wide, shallow salad bowl. This forms the vibrant green foundation of your Cobb salad.

  2. Arrange Toppings in Rows: Artfully create rows or distinct sections of the remaining ingredients on top of the lettuce. This classic presentation is part of the Cobb salad’s appeal:

    • One row of diced cooked chicken breast.
    • A row of crumbled bacon strips.
    • A row of chopped hard-boiled eggs.
    • A row of diced avocado.
    • A row of halved cherry tomatoes.
    • A row of crumbled blue cheese.
    • Finish with a sprinkle of thinly sliced red onion.

  3. Season: Season the entire salad lightly with salt and black pepper to taste.

  4. Dress and Serve: Drizzle the ranch dressing generously over the salad just before serving. Alternatively, serve the dressing on the side in a small pitcher or bowl, allowing guests to add their preferred amount. Toss gently before serving, or present the salad with its distinct rows and allow guests to mix their own portions at the table.

Tips & Variations:

  • Chicken Prep: If you don’t have cooked chicken, you can quickly grill or pan-fry chicken breasts and dice them for a fresh preparation.
  • Avocado Browning: To minimize avocado browning, dice it just before assembling the salad, or toss it lightly with a tiny bit of lemon or lime juice.
  • Dressing Choice: While ranch is traditional, a good red wine vinaigrette or a blue cheese dressing can also be excellent choices.
  • Extra Protein/Veg: Feel free to add other ingredients like corn kernels, black olives, or even a different type of cheese like shredded cheddar.
  • Make Ahead (Partial): You can prep and chop all the ingredients (except avocado) a day in advance. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Assemble the salad just before serving, adding the avocado last, for the freshest presentation.
  • Serving Presentation: The key to a beautiful Cobb salad is arranging the ingredients in neat, colorful rows. This makes for a stunning presentation!

Enjoy this vibrant and satisfying Cobb Salad!

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