Alternative to Heavy Easter Meal - Easter Cobb Salad

If you are having the whole family over - maybe this is not a good alternative...but if you are just having Easter with your immediate family...this is a great alternative.  Note:  this is not a simple meal...it doesn't require a lot of cooking, but does require quite a bit of prep time (chopping veggies etc).  Cobb salad was supposed created by the owner of the Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood, Bob Cobb, in 1937.  There are many variations, but the important thing is not to toss it...make sure the veggies & meat are in rows across the top.

Easter Cobb Salad

3 hard boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
8 bacon slices, cooked
1 bag of salad, size based on your family (I like the one with Iceberg lettuce, carrots & purple cabbage)
4 cups diced cooked turkey or chicken
2 avocados, peeled, pitted and sliced
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 cup (at least) crumbled cheddar cheese
1 can sliced black olives
1 cucumber, sliced

1.  Cook bacon until done, drain on papertowel set aside; flash fry (cover the bottom of a skillet with oil, then cook chicken breasts on high heat for about 8 - 10min total - turning often to prevent burning) the chicken breast (I like to do mine with salt & pepper with a touch of garlic, but you can bread them with egg & bread crumbs too, if desired)- if using turkey...I recommend baking it the night before or using fully cooked turkey from the store; boil the eggs.
2.  Make one big bowl or individual bowls:  Put the lettuce in the bottom of the bowl; arrange eggs, bacon,avacados, tomatoes, chicken/turkey/ham, cheese in rows across the top of the lettuce; covering the lettuce completely.
3.  Serve with favorite dressing...I recommend a red wine vinegrette or honey mustard.  You can try the "Original Cobb Salad" Dressing from the Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood (supposedly created by the owner Bob Cobb in 1937 - who also created the Cobb Salad at the same time)

Original Cobb Salad Dressing


Makes 1 1/2 cups
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon dry English mustard
1 small clove garlic, finely minced
1/4 cup full-flavored olive oil
3/4 cup salad oil

1.  Blend all ingredients together, except oils. Add olive and salad oils. Mix well.
2.  Blend well again before mixing with salad.
A note from the Brown Derby: "The water is optional, depending upon the degree of oiliness desired in the dressing."














Enjoy & Happy Easter!!!