RE-POST
In November, I will be making a version of this delightful salad for the upcoming World Food Championships in Indianapolis, IN. This year, I am excited to be featured as a Celebrity Chef, preparing a VIP four-course meal for eight lucky diners. Additionally, I will have the privilege of joining the illustrious Chef Eric Greenspan at the Taste of WFC, where I will serve my MasterChef meatloaf recipe to over three thousand event attendees.
For tickets visit: https://www.indianastatefair.com/events/2024/world-food-championships
Family Favorite Recipe Series
This is one of my favorite family recipes. It brings back memories of picking mom's summer garden greens and enjoying them with her signature hot bacon dressing upon each re-creation of this simple yet delicious salad.
Hot summer days, a basket full of fresh garden greens, and some edible flowers are all it takes to make the little girl in me happy. The aroma of Mom's hot bacon dressing cooking on the stove takes me right back to my childhood. Food memories can be very precious. I'm so thankful for mine and the family that fostered them.
Simple Flavor
The dressing has only 5 ingredients: bacon, onions, cider vinegar, water, and fresh ground black pepper. The recipe's simple nature is the key to its explosive flavor. The hot dressing can be served over a bed of spinach or my favorite, freshly harvested mesclun, and butter lettuce.
Bacon = Umami
The dressing draws its flavor from the umami of crispy, cooked bacon and its rendered fat. The rich bacon fat, or what Texans call Southern Butter, is accentuated with apple cider vinegar and onions. The recipe is just that simple.
So Many Variations
The variations of this simple salad are endless, with my favorites including chilled or grilled shrimp, grilled chicken, hard-boiled eggs, or even smoked fresh rainbow trout, making this scrumptious salad a hearty meal any time of day or season.
Fresh Garden Greens with Hot Bacon Dressing
Ingredients
- 3 strips thick-cut pepper bacon chopped and cooked crisp
- 1 tablespoon chopped onion
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 grams 2 packets Splenda
- ½ cup water
- 3-4 cups fresh mesclun or butter lettuce
- 2 large farm fresh eggs
- 6-10 white radishes
- 5 strawberries sliced
- Salt and pepper to tasteEdible pansies marigolds, fresh herbs
Instructions
- Cook bacon in sauté pan over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon to a paper-lined plate and set aside
- Fry eggs in hot bacon fat. Remove to a paper-lined plate and set aside
- Cook chopped onion in bacon fat until translucent. Stirring frequently.
- Add radishes to pan and cook until just tender, about 3 minutes
- Add Splenda, vinegar, water and stir. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add half the bacon back to the pan and cook 1 more minute
- Wash garden greens in icy cold water and place them inside a salad spinner to remove excess water. Add washed greens to a large bowl. Dress the salad with herbs, edible flowers, fried eggs, radishes, and remaining cooked bacon. Ladle hot bacon dressing over the salad and ENJOY!
Notes
- Other variations of this salad include:
- Wilted Mesclun Salad Paired with Brulee blue cheese bacon strips
- Wilted Butter Lettuce with Sauteed Prawns
Nutrition
Brûléed, You Say?
Try this delicious variation made with Brûléed Blue Cheese Bacon - a true showstopper. Add blue cheese crumbles and brown sugar to several strips of cooked bacon, then brûlée with a torch or under the broiler. What a flavor bomb!
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