LAYERED COBB SALAD

Ingredients

• For dressing:
• 3 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• For salad:
• 3 skinless boneless chicken breast halves (1 1/4 lb)
• 2 California avocados
• 1 head romaine, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-wide slices (8 cups)
• 6 bacon slices, cooked until crisp, drained, and finely chopped
• 3 medium tomatoes (3/4 lb), seeded and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 to 3 oz Roquefort, crumbled (1/2 to 3/4 cup)
• 2 bunches watercress, coarse stems discarded
• 2 hard-boiled large eggs, halved and forced through a coarse sieve
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives

Directions

Make dressing:
Whisk together all dressing ingredients except oil in a bowl, then add oil in a slow stream, whisking until emulsified.

Make salad:
Bring 5 cups water to a simmer in a 2-quart saucepan, then simmer chicken, uncovered, 6 minutes. Remove pan from heat and cover, then let stand until chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and cool completely. Cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
Halve, pit, and peel avocados, then cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
Spread romaine over bottom of a 6- to 8-quart glass bowl and top with an even layer of chicken. Sprinkle bacon over chicken, then continue layering with tomatoes, cheese (to taste), avocados, watercress, eggs, and chives.
Just before serving, pour dressing over salad and toss.

Cooks' note:
Dressing can be made and salad assembled 1 hour ahead and chilled separately, covered.

Makes 4 to 6 main-course servings.

Gourmet Magazine

Submitted 6/13/05.
Source: www.recipecircus.com/recipes/merstar/
Submitted By: Meryl
merstarunicorn11@hotmail.com
LAYERED COBB SALAD