California Cobb Salad

Andrea Garro (San Diego, California)

Serves 4–6

Dressing

¼ cup red wine vinegar

1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

¼ teaspoon raw agave nectar

1–2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon finely chopped chives

½ cup grapeseed or canola oil (see Chef’s Tips on emulsification, this page)

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Salad

1 head organic romaine lettuce, shredded

1 head butter lettuce, shredded (or 2 heads romaine lettuce)

1 cup watercress or micro greens/sprouts

2 ounces bleu cheese, crumbled

2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and sliced

8 strips turkey bacon, crumbled

8 ounces cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and cut into cubes

2 boneless chicken breasts, grilled or cooked, and cut into small cubes

Dressing

Combine all the ingredients, except the oil, salt, and pepper, in a blender. While the blender is running, add the oil in a slow, steady stream to emulsify. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Salad

Add lettuce and watercress (or sprouts) to a large salad bowl. Toss with ¼ of the dressing. Arrange all the other ingredients in neat rows on top of the greens. Drizzle with the remaining dressing on top before serving.