Seafood Cobb Salad With A Florida Twist Recipes

SEAFOOD COBB SALAD WITH A FLORIDA TWIST

Steps:

• Now I am sure most of you know how Cobb salads are put together. And most of us have had them at some point. A lettuce base and then stripes of the different ingredients layered over the top of the salad. A creamy blue cheese or sometimes a vinaigrette and "Cobb Salad." I have had probably 5 versions, all claiming to be traditional, but if you go back to the traditional Brown Derby Recipe -- that is classic. So this is my semi classic flavors with a twist.
• Bacon -- I like to cook my bacon right in the microwave. Just place the bacon on a paper plate or microwavable plate and top with a paper towel, then 4-6 slices of bacon, then another paper towel, then 4-6 slices of bacon, then another paper towel. Now I make up to 3 layers at a time -- but always top with a paper towel. Takes 1 layer about 3 minutes; 2 layers about 4; and 3 layers about 6 minutes. No clean up. Now you can always bake it or pan saute if you prefer, but use good quality smokey or hickory turkey bacon. Cook until crisp and then remove to a plate to let cool. Then chop into small bits.
• Base -- Chopped mixed greens and mixed with the shallots and put on each plate as the base. Or you can use a small serving bowl which works well too. I sometimes like to top with just a little salt and pepper.
• Dressing -- Mix the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, orange juice, garlic, mustard, thyme, salt and pepper, and capers in a small bowl or measuring cup and set to the side.
• Layers -- Start right to left or left to right. Who cares? This is just layers the vegetables like little stripes on top of the salad. My ideal version -- I start with egg, then tomato, a little seafood, then avocado, then bacon, then mango, seafood, and finish with tomato. Very simple. If you have one vegetable or fruit that is more than the other, don't worry, just make an extra stripe. It doesn't matter on the order or ingredients. Just add it to the salad as you like. If you like more tomato, by all means, more avocado, go ahead. No mango, don't worry, try papaya or peaches. These are just my favorites.
• Dressing and Topping -- Now, top with with walnuts, gorgonzola cheese and top with the dressing. That is it! It is an amazing salad. Elegant, worthy of a dinner party, but still great for a weekend dinner. Make the same recipe to make 4 small salads or cut in half to make just 2.
• I cut the recipe in half all the time to make it just for me and my SO. I like to make 2 small salads and then serve with a big bowl of warm creamy roasted tomato soup (usually from the freezer), a nice slice of baguette (also from the freezer), and you have an amazing dinner!
• I pulled up a local restaurant and for a Cobb Salad with a cup of soup and bread stick they charged $18 and that was just chicken. I will guarantee you that you will make 4 giant salads with seafood NOT chicken and it will cost you about the same as 1 for lunch. It is a great salad. ENJOY!

SHRIMP COBB SALAD

Steps:

• Toss shrimp with oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper; refrigerate, covered, 15 minutes. Mix dressing ingredients, mashing cheese with a fork. Place greens on a platter; arrange remaining ingredients over top., Grill shrimp, covered, over medium heat until pink, 2-3 minutes per side. Place over salad. Serve with dressing.

UPDATED CLASSIC COBB SALAD

Steps:

• For vinaigrette: Whisk ingredients in bowl until well combined, then set aside.
• For eggs: Place in saucepan, cover with water, bring to boil over high heat; remove pan from heat, cover, and let stand for 10 minutes. Transfer eggs to bowl filled with ice water, let stand 5 minutes, then peel, cut into 1/2 inch cubes and set aside.
• For chicken: Season with salt and pepper. Broil until lightly browned, 4 to 8 minutes, then flip chicken over and continue to broil until thickest part is no longer pink. When cool enough to handle, cut chicken into 1/2-inch cubes.
• To finish salad: Toss romaine and watercress with 5 tablespoons vinaigrette in large bowl until coated, then arrange over very large, flat serving platter. Place chicken in now-empty bowl, add 1/4 cup vinaigrette, toss to coat; arrange in a row along one edge of greens.
• Place tomatoes in now empty bowl, add 1 tablespoon vinaigrette and toss gently to combine; arrange on opposite edge of greens. Arrange reserved eggs and avocados in separate rows near center of greens and drizzle with remaining vinaigrette.
• Sprinkle bacon, cheese and chives evenly over salad and serve immediately.