Bacon Blue Cheese Artichoke Tossed Salad Recipes

ARTICHOKE BLUE CHEESE FETTUCCINE

Steps:

• Cook fettuccine according to package directions., Meanwhile, place a lightly oiled large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and artichoke hearts; cook and stir until mushrooms are tender. Stir in Alfredo sauce; bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes, stirring occasionally., Drain fettuccine, reserving 1/3 cup pasta water. Add fettuccine to artichoke mixture; toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water if desired. Sprinkle with blue cheese.

ARTICHOKE BACON POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook potatoes in boiling water until tender.
• Drain and cool potatoes.
• Cook bacon in oven (on raised rack over baking pan).
• Cool and crumble bacon.
• In large bowl, combine mayonnaise, garlic, and onion. Mix well.
• Stir in artichoke hearts, cheese, and salad dressing.
• Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
• In large serving bowl, combine potatoes and bacon.
• Gently stir in dressing until well mixed.
• Cover and chill thoroughly before serving.
• Cook time is cooling time.

WARM ARTICHOKE SALAD WITH BACON AND MUSTARD VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Prepare a blanc: Place the four in a large pot and beat in enough cold water to make a smooth, medium-thick paste. Then beat in 2 quarts of cold water, the lemon juice and the salt. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Remove hearts from artichokes.
• Add the artichoke hearts to the water, bring to boil, the simmer gently until the hearts are just tender when pierced with a knife (about 25-30 minutes). Remove pot from heat and allow the hearts to come to room temperature in the liquid.
• Gently fry the bacon slices. Do not cook until crisp. Remove and reserve on paper towels.
• Place the mustard in a mixing bowl. Using a whisk, beat in the vinegar. Drop by drop at first, then in a thin stream, beat in the olive oil; the mixture should be medium-thick. Add the garlic, and season vinaigrette to taste with salt and pepper.
• Remove warm artichoke hearts from liquid and cut in sixths. Place in large mixing bowl and season with salt and pepper. Cut each bacon slice into 6 pieces and add to bowl. Toss with vinaigrette. Serve on 8 individual plates, sprinkled with chopped parsley.
• As a first course: Serve just as in this recipe-preferably on stark white plates for a real bistro effect. As a buffet item: This quantity will provide small portions for about 15 people.

LAYERED BLUE CHEESE, BACON AND ICEBERG SALAD

Steps:

• Soak the onions in ice water for at least 20 minutes. Strain.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until brown and crisp, 6 to 7 minutes per side. Remove, drain on paper towels and roughly chop.
• Whisk together the blue cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, Worcestershire, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium bowl.
• Using a 3-quart straight-sided tall glass bowl for 1 large salad or four 16-ounce wide-mouth glass jars for 4 individual salads, make a layer with a third of the lettuce, then add the following in separate layers: the tomatoes, the olives, half the remaining lettuce, the carrots, the croutons, and the remaining lettuce. Sprinkle the top with the onions and bacon. (The salad can be put together, covered and refrigerated for up to 2 hours before serving.)
• If making 1 salad, just before serving, transfer it to a large bowl, toss with about half the dressing and season with salt and pepper. If making 4 salads, add dressing to each jar, season with salt and pepper, cover with the lid and shake to coat. Serve the remaining dressing on the side.