Description
Ina Garten’s Cape Cod Salad brings coastal charm to your table with fresh lobster, crisp greens, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette. Home cooks can savor this elegant dish that whisks you to New England’s shoreline with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) thick-cut bacon, such as Niman Ranch
- 6 ounces (170 grams) blue cheese, such as Roquefort, crumbled
Fruits and Nuts:
- 1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled and diced
- ½ cup (60 grams) toasted walnut halves, coarsely chopped
- ½ cup (75 grams) dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
- 2 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) pure maple syrup
- Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ⅔ cup (160 milliliters) olive oil
- 8 ounces (226 grams) baby arugula
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and position an oven rack in the middle position.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with a wire cooling rack, ensuring the rack is securely placed to catch bacon drippings.
- Arrange bacon slices in a single layer on the wire rack, making sure they do not overlap.
- Roast the bacon for 18-22 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through cooking, until the bacon achieves a deep golden-brown color and appears crisp.
- Remove bacon from the oven and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat and cool completely.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine fresh arugula leaves, crisp diced apple, roughly chopped walnuts, dried cranberries, and crumbled blue cheese.
- Create the vinaigrette by whisking together red wine vinegar, freshly grated orange zest, freshly squeezed orange juice, Dijon mustard, pure maple syrup, 1½ teaspoons kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Gradually stream in extra-virgin olive oil while continuously whisking to emulsify the dressing.
- Coarsely chop the cooled bacon into rustic pieces and add to the salad mixture.
- Gently toss the salad with just enough dressing to lightly coat the ingredients, then sprinkle with an additional ½ teaspoon salt and toss again to distribute evenly.
- Serve the salad immediately to maintain crisp textures and vibrant flavors.
Notes
- Crisp the bacon carefully to prevent sogginess, ensuring each bite delivers a satisfying crunch that elevates the entire salad experience.
- Select premium blue cheese with a balanced tang that complements the other ingredients without overwhelming the delicate flavor profile.
- Drizzle dressing sparingly, letting each ingredient shine while maintaining a light, refreshing texture that doesn’t weigh down the salad.
- Transform ordinary walnuts into flavor powerhouses by gently toasting them, releasing their rich, nutty essence and creating a delightful textural contrast.
- Personalize the recipe effortlessly by swapping ingredients to match dietary preferences or personal taste, making this salad adaptable and universally appealing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 610 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 54 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 40 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg