Colorful Cobb Salad with Homemade Ranch Dressing (Utilizing Leftover Vegetables)
Creative Cobb Salad Recipe Using Fridge Staples & Easy Ranch Dressing
This Cobb Salad is a fantastic way to use up leftover vegetables in your fridge, transforming them into a visually appealing and delicious meal. Simply chop your ingredients and arrange them beautifully on a plate. The accompanying homemade ranch dressing, made with mayonnaise and yogurt, is light, tangy, and perfectly complements the fresh flavors, waking up your palate with its zesty notes and creamy texture. It’s a simple yet elegant dish that’s perfect for a casual meal or for entertaining guests.
Salad Ingredients- 1 head of lettuce (e.g., romaine or iceberg), washed, dried, and chopped
- 1/2 cucumber, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 avocado, pitted and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 7-8 quail eggs, hard-boiled, peeled, and halved
- 5 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 mini bell peppers (any color), seeds and cores removed, chopped
- 3 Tbsp corn kernels (canned, drained)
- 3-4 strips of bacon, chopped and cooked until crispy
Ranch Dressing- 3 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 3 Tbsp plain yogurt (unsweetened recommended)
- 1 tsp honey (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp whole grain mustard
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp finely minced onion
- 1/2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh Italian parsley
- 3 Tbsp mayonnaise
- 3 Tbsp plain yogurt (unsweetened recommended)
- 1 tsp honey (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp whole grain mustard
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp finely minced onion
- 1/2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh Italian parsley
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing the lettuce. Wash and thoroughly dry the head of lettuce, then chop it into bite-sized pieces. Next, prepare the mini bell peppers by removing the seeds and cores, and chopping them into similarly sized pieces.
Step 2
Wash the cherry tomatoes and cut them in half. Dice the cucumber and avocado into pieces that are roughly the same size as the other ingredients for a balanced presentation. For the avocado, a little squeeze of lemon juice can help prevent browning.
Step 3
Chop the bacon strips into manageable pieces. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it’s golden brown and crispy. Drain any excess grease by placing the cooked bacon on paper towels.
Step 4
Arrange your salad on a large, flat plate or in a salad bowl. Start by creating a bed of chopped lettuce. Then, artfully arrange the chopped cucumber, avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, mini bell peppers, drained corn kernels, halved quail eggs, and crispy bacon. The key to a Cobb salad is to arrange ingredients in distinct sections or rows, rather than mixing them all together.
Step 5
For an extra touch of flavor, freshly grate some Parmesan cheese (or your favorite hard cheese) over the salad just before serving. This adds a wonderful depth and nutty aroma.
Step 6
Now, let’s make the delicious ranch dressing! In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, plain yogurt, honey, lemon juice, and whole grain mustard. Add the finely minced onion, minced garlic, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Whisk everything together until smooth and well combined. Finally, stir in the chopped fresh Italian parsley for a burst of herbaceous flavor. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Step 7
Drizzle the homemade ranch dressing over your beautifully arranged Cobb salad, or serve it on the side. This vibrant and flavorful salad is not only a feast for the eyes but also a delightful culinary experience. Enjoy the wonderful combination of fresh vegetables, savory bacon, and creamy dressing! 🙂
