Photo Courtesy of Richard Swearinger, BHG Food Editor Extraordinaire
Last night was no exception.
Once a year, the food editors at my parent company get together for a round of meetings and good eats. And for the second time in a row, we have made it a tradition to go potluck-style instead of dining out. Since we have a huge test kitchen, it works out well and is much more interesting than ordering off a restaurant menu.
When food editors gather, it seems a shame not to tap into the talent and creativity, no?
The recipe I made for our potluck is the ultimate in easy and delicious. It's actually a version of a salad that was passed down to me from my mom-queen of salad and all things healthy and delectable. In fact, it's one of the only vegetables my uncles and cousins actually seem to enjoy at family gatherings. Not just enjoy. Wolf down and ask for more, to be exact.
I'm already looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner for the sole purpose of eating a salad similar to this. But of course, like all things my mom does, it will taste better when she makes it than when I do.
Autumn Chopped Salad
(Printable Recipe)
Ingredients
*6 to 8 cups chopped romaine lettuce
*2 medium pears, chopped
*1 cup dried cranberries
*1 cup chopped pecans
*8 slices thick-cut bacon, crisp-cooked and crumbled
*4 to 6 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
*Poppy seed Salad Dressing (I like T. Marzetti)
*Balsamic Vinaigrette (I like Newman's Own Light Balsamic Vinaigrette)
Instructions
*On a large platter, combine the lettuce, pears, cranberries, pecans, bacon and feta cheese. Drizzle generously with poppy seed dressing, followed by some of the balsamic vinaigrette. (I would estimate that I used about a cup of dressing: 70 percent poppy seed dressing and 30 percent balsamic vinaigrette) If you prefer your salad to have more dressing, feel free to experiment with the combination.
Happy Cooking!
Madison
20 comments:
yum great looking salad! love all the fun tasty toppings
this looks great!
mmmm there's my dinner!
Everything's better with bacon! Yum.
Yum! this looks awesome
seriously? YUM...I can't wait to make this...maybe I'll try to make homemade dressing?
Great post! I’m looking to make some changes in my own eating habits and learning to cook, so I appreciate your insight a lot! Thank you. I recently stumbled upon this blog like I did yours and I thought your readers may appreciate it: http://burisonthecouch.wordpress.com/2010/11/04/food-for-thought/
I’ve started to look for their stuff more regularly and I think I’m going to add your blog to my list as well. Thanks for the post!
-Amy
Looks so good! What a beautiful photo.
I'm so excited to try this! I am linking back to you on www.craftybalancing.blogspot.com for my August menu tomorrow :)
Found this on Pinterest...and am featuring it tomorrow on my blog! You should come say hi!
Smiles,
Melanie
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this looks something you'd get at the Zcracker Barrel lol I think I'll try this on the ladies this month at our ladies meeting at church
Helen
This was a huge hit at our home! I made another to share with a sick friend today! Thank you!
I made this salad for a girl's night I recently hosted. I posted my pictures but put a reference and link to your post here with the recipe. It was delicious. Thanks for sharing!!
I make this all the time only I'd never thought of adding pears or the balsamic vinegrette, amazing additions!
Made this tonight! It was delicious!!
Love the dressing mixture! Thanks, it was delicious!!
Looks so delicious!!!!!
Looks so delicious!!!!!
Looks great. I will try it but without the processed dressings. Agree with Natalie that a homemade dressing is the go! Something like flaxseed oil and apple cider vinegar. Yum!
MMM made some for an Easter dinner and had to have a sample bowl for myself before. :)
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