southwestern cobb salad

 

There really is no reason for a recipe when it comes to a salad.  I have to document the salads that pass standards at my dinner table or I will forget the combination of vegetables that my husband allowed to pass his lips.  I may have cracked the husband salad code.  If it has lots of tasty hearty toppings (read bacon, avocado and cheese) and each bite is filled with various flavors it works.  The salad has to have enough heft to it that it does not require him to make a sandwich 20 minutes after I finish the dishes.  Wait why isn't he doing the dishes?  Oh yeah he is bathing the kids.  I like to give him a hard time but, I actually prefer him to stay out of my kitchen. 

This is an easy week night meal that you can have on the table in less then 30 minutes.  The dressing is light and spicy with a hint of sweet.  Even though it has lots of yummy topping it is actually light so, it keeps the health conscious happy as well.

southwestern cobb salad

adapted: cooking light

Vinaigrette:
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
2 tablespoons canola oil

Salad:
3 slices turkey bacon
cooking spray
8 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/4 teaspoon salt
fresh ground pepper
8 cups torn romaine lettuce
1/2 cup refrigerated fresh pico de gallo
1/2 cup diced avocado
1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled queso fresco
1/2 cup corn (~1 ear)
1 (15-ounce) can low-sodium black beans, rinsed and drained

Preparation

To prepare vinaigrette, combine first 6 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Gradually add oil, stirring constantly with a whisk; set aside.

To prepare salad, cook bacon in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan; crumble. Wipe pan clean with paper towels. Increase heat to medium-high. Coat pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken to pan; sauté 4 minutes or until done.

Place lettuce in salad bowl. Start adding toppings in lines side by side.  Drizzle vinaigrette and toss.