Romanian-inspired Cobb Salad

Ingredients

In this Romanian-inspired version of the Cobb Salad, we have incorporated ingredients and flavors commonly found in Romanian cuisine. The traditional Cobb Salad ingredients have been enhanced with Romanian wine vinegar, feta cheese, and walnuts, which add a unique tanginess and nuttiness to the dish. Additionally, the vinaigrette is made with Dijon mustard and fragrant herbs, giving it a distinct Romanian twist. We alse have the original recipe for Cobb Salad, so you can check it out.

• 4 cups (120g) lettuce, shredded 4 cups (120g) lettuce, shredded
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, grilled and sliced 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, grilled and sliced
• 4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled 4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
• 1 avocado, diced 1 avocado, diced
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 cup (75g) feta cheese, crumbled 1/2 cup (75g) feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup (30g) walnuts, chopped 1/4 cup (30g) walnuts, chopped
• For the vinaigrette: For the vinaigrette:
• 3 tablespoons Romanian wine vinegar 3 tablespoons Romanian wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 26g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 3g
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the shredded lettuce, grilled chicken, crumbled bacon, sliced hard-boiled eggs, diced avocado, diced tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped walnuts.
2. 2.
   In a separate small bowl, whisk together the Romanian wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, extra virgin olive oil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to make the vinaigrette.
3. 3.
   Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients.
4. 4.
   Serve the Romanian-inspired Cobb Salad immediately and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chicken breasts — To ensure juicy and tender chicken, marinate the chicken breasts in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs for at least 30 minutes before grilling.
• Romanian wine vinegar — If you can't find Romanian wine vinegar, you can substitute it with red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar for a similar tangy flavor.
• Feta cheese — For an authentic Romanian taste, use traditional Romanian sheep's milk feta cheese if available. Otherwise, any good-quality feta cheese will work well in this recipe.
• Walnuts — Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant to enhance their nutty flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• To add an extra layer of flavor, sprinkle some fresh dill or parsley over the salad before serving.
• If you prefer a creamier dressing, you can add a tablespoon of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the vinaigrette.
• Customize the salad by adding other Romanian ingredients such as pickled cucumbers or roasted red peppers.
• For a heartier meal, serve the salad with a side of crusty Romanian bread.
• Leftover salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Just make sure to keep the dressing separate and add it right before serving.

Serving advice

Serve the Romanian-inspired Cobb Salad as a main course for a light and satisfying lunch or dinner. It can also be served as a side dish alongside grilled meats or as part of a buffet spread.

Presentation advice

Arrange the ingredients of the salad in a visually appealing manner, with the vibrant colors of the lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, and eggs contrasting against the white feta cheese and the golden brown bacon. Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving to keep the ingredients fresh and crisp.