April 18, 2013

Endive, Avocado, and Bacon Salad with Chipotle Ranch Dressing

Time for another one of the many challenges I participate in... the Eating the Alphabet Recipe Challenge, hosted by the lovely Brenda at Meal Planning Magic!



































This month the letters were E or F, and remember you have to choose a vegetable, fruit, bean or grain. I chose endive because I had never eaten it before.

 






















Did you know there are different kinds of endive? I didn't, until I got to the store and saw just plain endive, which looked like lettuce kinda, and Belgian endive, which looked like tiny little white corn on the cob husks, and are hollow when peeled off the head. I went with the endive lettuce. When I got home I saw that the original recipe called for California endive. Good God, could endive be anymore confusing?  :)






































Oh well, it was still delicious. I mean, how can you go wrong with all those ingredients in a salad? Avocado, bacon, homemade dressing with chipotles! And I added some diced onions, just because. And let's be honest here, the endive was just there to soak up all that dressing. What, isn't that the purpose of lettuce in a salad? :) I kid, I kid. Kinda.





























Endive, Avocado, and Bacon Salad with Chipotle Ranch Dressing
adapted from All Day I Dream About Food

*Yields: 2 small side salads

Dressing:
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons mayo
  • 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 gloves garlic, minced
  • 1 chipotle pepper in adobo, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon adobo sauce
  • 3/4 teaspoon dried dill weed
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Salad:
  • 1 head of endive lettuce, chopped
  • 1 avocado, chopped
  • 1/2 a roma tomato, diced
  • 2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1-2 tablespoons red onion, chopped
  • 1-2 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese

For the dressing, combine all ingredients in a sealable glass jar and shake vigorously.

For the salad, divide chopped endive lettuce among two salad plates. Sprinkle with avocado, tomatoes, bacon, onion, and cheese. Drizzle with dressing. Remaining dressing can be stored in fridge.
  

Printable Recipe

























Be sure to check out my past Eating the Alphabet Recipe Challenge entries. You're bound to find some keepers.

   
Linking up here.  


Peace, and bacon grease!


23 comments:

  1. the pictures of your food look amazing!

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  2. I could drink that dressing Desi! This is such an awesome salad!!! I love bacon and avocados together!

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  3. This looks amazing, and not just because I'm hungry for lunch. :)

    Karen @ annumography.wordpress.com

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  4. I never bought endives before I joined a french cooking group. Check out this recipe we made. It is sounds really strange but it was delicious.
    http://www.simplelivingeating.com/2012/09/french-fridays-with-dorie-endives.html
    Thanks for sharing your salad with us on foodie friday.. I love the chipotle dressing really brings it all together in a unique way.

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  5. My mouth is watering, this just looks so delicious! I would love to have you come link up to My wonderful friend Heather & I's link party > http://www.kaylascreationsblog.com/2013/04/circle-of-faith-link-party-3.html Hope your having a great Saturday! :),

    -Kayla :)

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  6. This sounds amazing! Thank you for linking up with Foodie Friends Friday!

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  7. That salad looks seriously wicked good! Great shots too.

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  8. This sounds so good - and healthy - love it.

    Found you at Shaken together life!

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  9. Hi, I'm stopping by from See Ya In The Gumbo!
    That is one beautiful delicious looking plate of salad! Looks so refreshing and delicious!

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  10. Oh, this looks so good and Atkins friendly! Found you at Nifty Thrifty Things.

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  11. Looks great!

    Looks so good!

    I would love for you to link up this - and your other salad recipes - at the Empty Your Archive link party. We have a special focus this week on salads, Alice @ Mums Make Lists x

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  12. The lettuce is just there to get the bacon to my mouth easier. This dressing is a keeper for sure. Thanks for linking with See Ya in the Gumbo!

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  13. Who knew endive could be so confusing! I found your recipe through a link-up on I'm addicted to recipes. This one looked so delicious. Of course, bacon makes everything better in my book.

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  14. Desi,
    Thank you for sharing this at Tuesday Trivia. It's what's for lunch tomorrow! I am featuring it on todays post. Looks so good, love your pictures.
    Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile

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  15. I love a great salad!
    Following and pinning :))

    Karla
    www.huckleberrylove.com

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  16. This salad sounds great....Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week; I hope you’ll join us again!


    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino

    The Chicken Chick

    http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

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  17. Hey, just stopping by to let you know that you are being featured at this weekend's round up! Come on over and check it out. I'd love for you to put a featured button directly in this post :o)
    http://www.nap-timecreations.com/2013/04/Mexicanfood.html

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  18. You've been Featured!! Stop by http://www.whatscookingwithruthie.com and pick up a featured button :). xoxo~ Ruthie

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  19. I can't wait to make this salad! Thank you so much for sharing at the circle of faith link party, I'm stopping over to let you know that I will be featuring you today, linky opens at 6 pm > http://www.kaylascreationsblog.com/ Hope your having a great day!,

    -Kayla :)

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  20. Stopping by from See Ya In the Gumbo. This is a stunning salad, and I just wanted to dive straight into it.

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  21. The salad and the dressing sound amazing, so glad to see more salad recipes for warmer weather. Thanks for sharing on Hearth & Soul Hop. :)

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  22. Great photos! Sounds tasty! Thanks for sharing at Sweet & Savory Saturdays #9!

    ~Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later!
    http://dessertnowdinnerlater.blogspot.com

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  23. The salad looks great. I'm going to have to try the dressing!

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