“Tis the season to eat field salad, fa-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la” Yes, really, it is hopping right now. Field salad is delicious; restaurants serve a yummy bacon dressing. I had to figure this out and master it. You can add your own touches and be creative, but for us, we love adding pecans and cranberries. I’ve tried it with diced figs, pears, and sliced tangerines. It is so flavorful, really tangy, and then this blast of sweet and salty! Top it off with homemade gluten-free croutons, and you’ve got an amazing side salad—simple and easy one-pan dressing. If you want a creamy sauce, add a tablespoon of homemade mayo to the cooled-dressed salad and toss it. Super yummy, as my husband would say. Let me know what creative way you serve your “Feld Salad,” as the Germans would say. This dressing is delicious over any lettuce. Try it over chopped Kale for a unique taste.
BEST FIELD SALAD WITH BACON DRESSING!
Ingredients
- 4 strips thick organic bacon plus 1 Tbsp coconut oil for frying
- 1/2 cup olive oil macadamia or avocado works as well
- 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper to taste
- 1/3 cup cranberries or diced figs
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans almonds or walnuts work too
- 1/2 red onion sliced in think rings
- 4 servings Field Salad washed and spun dry
Directions
- Step 1 Slice the bacon in little strips and fry. If it’s organic and GMO-free, I always add a bit of coconut oil for frying since organic bacon has less fat.
- Step 2 Let the cooked bacon and the oil, if used, sit for 15 minutes until somewhat cooled.
- Step 3 Prep your salad and add equal amounts of pecans, cranberries and red onions to each serving.
- Step 4 Dressing: In the same pan you cooked the bacon (don’t drain the fat), stir in the white balsamic vinegar and the olive oil (or oil of your choice). Drizzle the dressing over your salad and enjoy!
- Step 5 Tip: This is also delicious drizzled over the top of a finely chopped Kale salad. Try this dressing on Brussels sprouts. Oh yeah, baby!
I'm Melinda Stevens and living the life of a beach bum was inevitable since my father was a lifeguard for the city of Los Angeles. My memories of growing up on John Street in Manhattan Beach, California were filled with joy, excitement and adventures; until my world, as I knew it, fell apart when we moved to Del Mar, California. My father was offered the position as Captain of the lifeguards and we started the slow migration to the small deserted stretch of beach in 1963. At twelve years old, this seemed like the end of my life. Remember, I’m writing with clear hindsight now, ok somewhat clearer… Little did I know this would be the beginning of a new journey and give a bit more clarity to many of the events that led me to this new cooking adventure.