Chew on This | Mixed Greens with Bacon Dressing, Strawberries and Blue Cheese

Spring has sprung and I'm ready to lighten up my meals a bit.  I'm going to start by incorporating more salads into my menu, but I don't want to feel deprived! Sooo, this salad is the perfect choice for me. 

What's not to love-it's pretty nutritious, fresh, and filling.  If you add a roll, you'll find that all the food groups have been addressed in a most flavorful and appealing way. The candied walnuts are optional but they do add a yummy crunch, some protein and fiber too!

This is what you will need:

Field greens, bacon, onion, strawberries, blue cheese, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper.

Optional:  candied walnuts as garnish

I start by thinly slicing the red onions and giving them a soak in the vinegar for a few minutes.  Rinse and thoroughly drain greens.  Fry the bacon in a large skillet.  When crisp, remove and crumble.

Remove all but 3 T of  bacon drippings from the skillet.  Add the vinegar that the red onions were hanging out in, to the drippings.  Stir to deglaze the pan.

Pour in the sugar.  Add salt and pepper to taste and blend.  Heat to a low boil, while stirring constantly.  Remove from the heat and pour over the greens.  This dressing is easy, fast, and so delish!

Time to decorate the greens - add onions, bacon, beautiful ripe strawberries, yummy blue cheese and the optional candied walnuts.  No deprivation here!

Healthy never looked so good.

Mimi

Here is the recipe:

Mixed Field Greens with Bacon Dressing, Blue Cheese and Strawberries

6 C washed, mixed field greens
5 slices fried and crumbled bacon
1/3 C vinegar, cider or red wine
½ C thinly sliced red onions
½ C crumbled blue cheese
½ t salt 
dash of pepper
2 T sugar 
6 sliced strawberries
Optional:  1/2 C candied walnuts


Soak sliced onions in 1/3 cup of vinegar. Set aside.

Rinse and drain the greens and transfer to a large serving bowl.


Fry bacon until crisp then crumble. Remove all but 3 T of the bacon drippings from the pan. Remove the onions from the vinegar and pour the vinegar into the drippings and add  2 T of sugar, salt and pepper. Stir to release any brown bits in the bottom of the pan.  Heat to just boiling while stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

Pour the warm dressing over the greens and toss. Sprinkle the blue cheese, onions, and bacon over the top and garnish with sliced strawberries and the optional candied nuts. Enjoy!


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