## The Cobb Salad and Its Legendary Dressing Unveiled ##
Indulge in the iconic Cobb salad, a symphony of flavors that tantalizes the palate. This classic American dish, attributed to Robert H. Cobb, the owner of The Brown Derby restaurant in Los Angeles, is a delightful medley of crisp greens, juicy chicken, smoky bacon, ripe avocado, juicy tomatoes, crumbled blue cheese, and hard-boiled eggs. The crowning glory is the alluring homemade dressing, a perfect balance of tangy, sweet, and savory notes, elevating the salad to an unforgettable culinary experience. Embark on this culinary journey as we unveil the original Cobb salad dressing recipe, along with variations that cater to diverse preferences.
**Recipes:**
- **Original Cobb Salad Dressing:** This classic recipe captures the essence of the traditional Cobb salad dressing, showcasing a harmonious blend of mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper. The resulting dressing is creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet, complementing the myriad flavors in the salad.
- **Cobb Salad Dressing with Buttermilk:** Introducing a delightful twist to the original, this recipe incorporates buttermilk, adding a refreshing tang and subtle creaminess. The buttermilk lends a lighter texture to the dressing, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a more delicate flavor profile.
- **Cobb Salad Dressing with Avocado:** Avocado enthusiasts, rejoice! This recipe infuses the dressing with the velvety richness of avocado. The avocado's creamy texture and subtle flavor seamlessly blend with the other ingredients, creating a dressing that is lusciously creamy and bursting with subtle nutty notes.
- **Cobb Salad Dressing with Bacon:** Bacon aficionados, this one's for you. This recipe elevates the classic dressing by incorporating crispy bacon bits, adding a smoky, savory dimension that perfectly complements the other ingredients. The bacon adds a delightful crunch and an irresistible umami flavor to the dressing.
- **Cobb Salad Dressing with Herbs:** This recipe adds a burst of freshness with the inclusion of aromatic herbs. Chopped parsley, chives, and tarragon bring a vibrant pop of flavor to the dressing, creating a herbaceous and invigorating twist on the original. The herbs add a delightful complexity that enhances the overall taste experience.
THE ORIGINAL COBB SALAD
Provided by Food Network
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Place greens in bowl. Arrange all other ingredients attractively across greens. Add dressing when ready to serve.
- Whip eggs vigorously until yolks turn pale yellow. Slowly incorporate oil to form an emulsion. Add remaining ingredients and season with salt and pepper.
COBB SALAD
While the origins of a Cobb salad are still up for debate, what goes into one is fairly absolute: tender chicken breast, tangy tomatoes, perfectly hard-boiled egg and, perhaps most important, crispy bacon. This classic version relies on crumbled blue cheese and ripe avocado for creaminess, rather than a cheese or buttermilk-based dressing, making way for a mustardy shallot vinaigrette. The way each of the ingredients is prepared will depend on personal preference: Are you a chunky, chopped salad kind of person? Or do you prefer your lettuce torn and tomatoes sliced? Here, the torn and sliced approach is taken for a more elegant visual, but feel free to make it your own. It also halves nicely if you're cooking for two.
Provided by Alison Roman
Categories dinner, lunch, weekday, salads and dressings, main course
Time 50m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Make the dressing: Cover shallot rings with vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Let sit for 5 minutes to lightly pickle the shallots and infuse the vinegar. Add mustard and 3 tablespoons olive oil and, using a fork, whisk to blend. Season with salt and more pepper, if needed.
- Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Gently lower in 4 large eggs and boil for 8 minutes. Remove from heat and run cold water over to quickly chill. (You could throw a few ice cubes into the bowl as well.) Once the eggs are properly chilled, peel them and set them aside until you're ready to assemble the salad.
- Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy on both sides, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and let cool. Once cool enough to handle, coarsely chop bacon and set aside.
- Drain all but roughly 2 tablespoons bacon grease from the skillet. (Toss the drained grease or reserve for another purpose.) Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook in the same skillet over medium-high heat until well browned on both sides and cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer chicken to a large plate or cutting board.
- Transfer any drippings (you should have at least 2 tablespoons) from the skillet to the bowl with the vinaigrette and whisk to blend, adding more olive oil if desired.
- Once chicken is cool enough to handle, shred it into bite-sized pieces. (Alternatively, chop or slice it into bite-sized pieces.) Slice or chop the hard-boiled eggs.
- Arrange lettuce in your largest serving bowl or platter. Drizzle about half the dressing over the lettuce and toss to combine; season with salt and pepper.
- Arrange the chicken in the center of the bowl or platter in a straight line. Place the tomatoes on one side and the eggs on the other. Place the avocado next to the eggs, and the blue cheese next to the tomatoes. Sprinkle bacon in the center of the bowl. Spoon remaining dressing over the top and sprinkle with chives.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 738, UnsaturatedFat 35 grams, Carbohydrate 16 grams, Fat 56 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 43 grams, SaturatedFat 18 grams, Sodium 1189 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- Use Fresh Ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better your Cobb salad dressing will taste. Use ripe tomatoes, crisp bacon, and freshly chopped herbs.
- Chill Your Ingredients: Chilling your ingredients before you make the dressing will help it to emulsify better and create a smoother texture.
- Whisk the Dressing Slowly: When you're whisking the dressing, do it slowly and steadily. This will help to prevent the oil from separating from the other ingredients.
- Taste the Dressing as You Go: Taste the dressing as you're making it and adjust the seasonings as needed. You may want to add more salt, pepper, or vinegar to taste.
- Use the Dressing Immediately: Cobb salad dressing is best when used immediately. If you need to store it, keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
Cobb salad dressing is a delicious and versatile dressing that can be used on a variety of salads. It's easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients. With its creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor, Cobb salad dressing is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. So next time you're looking for a new salad dressing to try, give Cobb salad dressing a try. You won't be disappointed!
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