Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram How about that summertime comin’ at us though, right? Are you feeling it? We’re feelin’ it. 106 degrees on Memorial Day, feelin’ it. Gah! Give us a break, Sacramento! My parents just got back from a trip to Minnesota, where they canoed the boundary waters (which is now on my bucket list btw, have you done it? Pictures look gorgeous!). Anyway they said it was still pretty chilly there. Sometimes I forget that the rest of the country has actual, like, seasons. I’ve been wearing shorts for months. Don’t hate me. We had a little lesson with the kids to teach them about why it’s important to serve your country, and sang patriotic songs at the piano. It was fun! I love American holidays. It’s always nice to sit back and appreciate how dramatically our lives have been impacted by the profound principles of freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of press. ‘Merica!
Greens: Romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, watercress, or a combination. I usually toss in some spring mix, too. Chicken: should be grilled or pan-seared Bacon: make it crispy, please. Hard Boiled Eggs: perfectly cooked with a tender (but not soft) yolk Tomato: garden fresh is best. Or so I hear. Can someone please come teach me how to garden, I kill everything. Avocado: lots and lots. Green onions or chives. Roquefort Cheese: I can never find this at my regular grocery store. Gorgonzola or Blue Cheese are great substitutes. Dressing: a red wine vinaigrette is traditional. See more about dressing options below!
Here is the order I like to start prepping ingredients for Cobb salad: Boil eggs so they have time to cool. While that’s cooking/cooling, make the dressing and let it marinate in the fridge a while.
Meanwhile, prep the veggies: chop all the lettuce. Chop or slice tomato. Chop the green onions. Hold off on the avocado. Crumble the cheese at this point, if it’s in a block. Cook the bacon. You can bake it in the oven or cook it on the stove.
If you are baking your bacon, get it in the oven before prepping your veggies.
Pan sear the chicken. If you are short on time, chopped rotisserie chicken is a great option! Be sure to dry your chicken well before cooking, and make sure to space it out in the pan to get good browning.
Slice the avocado. You want to do this right before serving so it doesn’t get brown.
One of my favorite hacks for a super flavorful salad is to add your onions and herbs to your lettuce, BEFORE adding other toppings. It gets much better distributed that way, making every bite of your salad perfect. There are no herbs called for in BobCobb Salad, but you could certainly toss in some chopped basil or parsley and it would be delicious.
Creamy Buttermilk Ranch Dressing this is a personal favorite. I mean ranch is just classic with BobCobb. Italian dressing Balsamic vinaigrette French Dressing Honey Mustard (recipe below)
When I told Eric I was making a Cobb Salad recipe, I asked him what dressing he would choose to go with it. Without hesitating he answered “Honey Mustard.” Who am I to deny such confidence? So that’s why I’ve included a quick Honey Mustard Dressing in the recipe below. I’ve also included the Red Wine Vinaigrette recipe in the notes. Homemade dressings make a big impact, but if you’re short on time a store bought salad dressing is going to do you just fine. Don’t let some food blogger tell you what to do. ok sorry. Try these bread ideas:
Olive Garden Breadsticks these are so easy One Hour French Bread! Seriously just one hour. One Hour Dinner Rolls Super fluffy! Garlic Knots these are dipped in garlic butter Cheddar Bay Biscuits « never mind, Cobb Salad def needs a side dish and it should be these. Cheesy bread ftw!!
Also for kids, it’s helpful to serve the salad in parts. Chicken on this side of the plate, eggs over here, bacon over there, then a side salad with dressing. Sometimes kids have a hard time with a big salad all mixed together, at least my kids do! Not me though, I’m like a monster eating this salad. I get out the biggest bowl I can find and mix it all together, tornado style. It’s HEAVEN.
Use spring mix instead of watercress as a salad green, or even try arugula if you love the peppery bite. Substitute gorgonzola or blue cheese for Roquefort, or try crumbled feta or grilled halloumi (omg can you imagine). Instead of grilled chicken, bake or fry crispy chicken tenders. Rotisserie chicken is also a great fast option! Make or buy red wine vinaigrette, the most traditional dressing for Cobb salad, or top it with whatever you like: ranch, Italian, French, balsamic vinaigrette.
