Classic Cobb Mason Jar Salad Food

CLASSIC COBB SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat, stirring, until crisp, 15 to 20 minutes; transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Meanwhile, place the eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water by about 1 inch. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then cover, remove from the heat and let stand, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain, then run under cold water to cool. Peel under cold running water. Chop the hard-cooked eggs and season with salt.
• Combine the chicken, lemon zest and juice, bay leaves, thyme, peppercorns and a large pinch of salt in a medium saucepan; add enough cold water to cover the chicken by 1/2 inch. Bring to a bare simmer over medium heat (do not boil) and cook until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 160 degrees F, about 7 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the dressing: Whisk the vinegar, shallot, mustard and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a serving bowl. Whisk in the olive oil in a slow, steady stream until emulsified; season with pepper. Dice the chicken and toss with 1 tablespoon of the dressing in a separate bowl.
• Halve, pit and dice the avocados. Season the tomatoes with salt. Add the Bibb and romaine lettuce to the serving bowl on top of the dressing. Arrange the bacon, hard-cooked eggs, chicken, avocados, tomatoes and blue cheese in rows on top of the lettuce. When ready to serve, toss the salad and season with salt and pepper.

COBB SALAD IN A JAR

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Arrange the bacon slices on a rimmed sheet tray in a single layer and bake until the bacon is crispy, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature, then crumble. Reserve until ready to build the jars.
• Sprinkle the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Put on an oiled quarter-sheet tray and roast until cooked through and browned, about 30 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Reserve until ready to build the jars.
• Put the eggs in a small saucepan and just cover with water. Put on the stovetop over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Once at a boil, turn off the heat and let sit for 11 minutes. Remove the eggs from the water and let cool to the touch. Remove from the shells and cut in half lengthwise. Reserve until ready to build the jars.
• Mix the ranch dressing, sherry vinegar and chives in a small bowl. Reserve, chilled, until ready to build the jars.
• Carefully build layers in each of four 32-ounce mason jars, starting with the iceberg in the bottom of each jar. Evenly divide the eggs, yolk sides facing out, among each jar. Divide the bacon crumbles, cucumber, tomatoes, avocado slices, chicken, blue cheese and ranch dressing among the jars.
• Cover with lids and keep cold until ready to eat. Simply shake the jars to "toss" the salads and either serve on chilled plates or eat directly out of the jars.