Bacon Blue Cheese Artichoke Tossed Salad Food

TOSSED SALAD WITH ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the lettuces, onion, artichoke hearts and Parmesan cheese. In a small bowl, whisk the oil and vinegar; drizzle over salad and toss to coat.

DARTHLAURIE'S BEEF, BACON, AND BLUE CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Combine dressing ingredients. Taste to make sure the flavors are balanced. Set aside.
• Cook the bacon until crisp. If there's not enough grease, add the olive oil. Drain on paper towels.
• Heat up the remaining olive oil and add steak to the same pan (I've used round and flank steak). Season with roasted garlic seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook almost to desired doneness. Add Worcestershire sauce and toss to coat all the meat.
• To assemble the salad:.
• Divide the bag of lettuce between two plates.
• Top with steak, bacon, croutons, blue cheese crumbles, and tomato.
• Drizzle on dressing.
• Enjoy!

BLUE CHEESE AND DRIED CRANBERRY TOSSED SALAD

Steps:

• Layer the romaine lettuce with the cucumber, grape tomatoes, pecans, cranberries, and blue cheese in a large salad bowl. Dress the salad with the balsamic vinaigrette before serving.

WARM ARTICHOKE SALAD WITH BACON AND MUSTARD VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Prepare a blanc: Place the four in a large pot and beat in enough cold water to make a smooth, medium-thick paste. Then beat in 2 quarts of cold water, the lemon juice and the salt. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Remove hearts from artichokes.
• Add the artichoke hearts to the water, bring to boil, the simmer gently until the hearts are just tender when pierced with a knife (about 25-30 minutes). Remove pot from heat and allow the hearts to come to room temperature in the liquid.
• Gently fry the bacon slices. Do not cook until crisp. Remove and reserve on paper towels.
• Place the mustard in a mixing bowl. Using a whisk, beat in the vinegar. Drop by drop at first, then in a thin stream, beat in the olive oil; the mixture should be medium-thick. Add the garlic, and season vinaigrette to taste with salt and pepper.
• Remove warm artichoke hearts from liquid and cut in sixths. Place in large mixing bowl and season with salt and pepper. Cut each bacon slice into 6 pieces and add to bowl. Toss with vinaigrette. Serve on 8 individual plates, sprinkled with chopped parsley.
• As a first course: Serve just as in this recipe-preferably on stark white plates for a real bistro effect. As a buffet item: This quantity will provide small portions for about 15 people.

AVOCADO-TOMATO SALAD WITH BACON AND BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Put the tomatoes in a large bowl and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper; set aside until juicy, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and let cool slightly, then crumble into bite-size pieces.
• Pit and peel the avocado; cut into 1/2-inch pieces and toss with the lemon juice in a large bowl. Add the tomatoes and gently toss. Drizzle with the dressing and top with the bacon, chives and blue cheese.
• Puree 1/2 cup each crumbled blue cheese and sour cream, 1/3 cup buttermilk, 1 small garlic clove (smashed) and 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar in a blender. Transfer to a bowl and stir in 1/4 cup more blue cheese, 2 to 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce and/or hot sauce, and 1 tablespoon chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper. (Makes about 2 cups.)

LAYERED BLUE CHEESE, BACON AND ICEBERG SALAD

Steps:

• Soak the onions in ice water for at least 20 minutes. Strain.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until brown and crisp, 6 to 7 minutes per side. Remove, drain on paper towels and roughly chop.
• Whisk together the blue cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, Worcestershire, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium bowl.
• Using a 3-quart straight-sided tall glass bowl for 1 large salad or four 16-ounce wide-mouth glass jars for 4 individual salads, make a layer with a third of the lettuce, then add the following in separate layers: the tomatoes, the olives, half the remaining lettuce, the carrots, the croutons, and the remaining lettuce. Sprinkle the top with the onions and bacon. (The salad can be put together, covered and refrigerated for up to 2 hours before serving.)
• If making 1 salad, just before serving, transfer it to a large bowl, toss with about half the dressing and season with salt and pepper. If making 4 salads, add dressing to each jar, season with salt and pepper, cover with the lid and shake to coat. Serve the remaining dressing on the side.

BLUE CHEESE, BEET & BACON SALAD

Steps:

• Layer lettuce (or spinach), beets, cheese, onion, and bacon on serving platter.
• Drizzle with dressing and toss with croutons.

BACON AND BLUE CHEESE SALAD WITH CAESAR DRESSING

Steps:

• To make the salad:
• Place first 3 ingredients in large bowl. Add enough dressing to season to taste and toss well. Garnish salad with croutons and serve.
• To make the easy caesar dressing:
• Combine all ingredients in blender or processor. Blend until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• To make the garlic croutons
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt 2 tablespoons butter with olive oil and garlic in small saucepan. Place bread cubes on baking sheet. Pour butter mixture over and toss well. Bake until bread cubes are golden brown and crisp, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Cool completely. (Croutons can be prepared 1 day ahead. Store at room temperature in airtight container.)
• Makes about 3 cups.

BACON LETTUCE TOMATO (AND MORE) SALAD WITH BLUE CHEESE DRESSING

Steps:

• Mix yogurt, mayonnaise, dill, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl. Crumble in blue cheese and mash with a fork, stirring until thick and creamy, but still chunky.
• Place lettuce in a large bowl and add bacon, mushrooms, cheddar cheese, red onion, and nuts (if using). Toss briefly just to combine ingredients.
• Add tomatoes and avocado. Gently and briefly toss.
• Scoop salad into individual serving bowls. Top each with eggs and then salad dressing.