Monday, September 09, 2013

3045. CAMPFIRE GRILLED ROMAINE SALAD with CRISPY BACON and CHIMICHURRI SAUCE

4 heads of romaine lettuce
12-14 slices of thick-cut bacon
4 avocados
2-3 limes
2-3 tomatoes
2 poblano peppers
2 zucchini
1 clove garlic, grated


For the chimichurri sauce:
1 bunch cilantro, chopped roughly
1 bunch Italian parsley, chopped roughly
1-2 bunches oregano, chopped roughly
1 small red onion, minced finely
10 drops Tabasco
1 tablespoon capers, chopped roughly
2 cups olive oil
2 cloves garlic, grated
Zest of 1 lime, grated
Juice of 2 limes

Cook the bacon in a pan on top of fire to preferred texture and reserve the fat. Coat the poblano peppers lightly in oil, place on grill, and char all around. Take the peppers off the grill place in a bowl. Cover to steam (this will help peel them later). Cut zucchini in half lengthwise, score lightly, toss with oil and rub with garlic. Grill with cross hatching technique both sides. Cut romaine in half lengthwise, wash, dry, coat lightly with olive oil, and season with salt. Place on grill to get light smoke flavor and light grill marks. Cut avocados in half, remove pit, cut into slices (in the skin) and remove with large spoon. Set slices on plate, sprinkle with salt and squeeze lime juice over them. Cut ripe tomatoes into wedges and season with salt.

For the chimichurri sauce: Combine all ingredients, season with salt. When the ingredients have time to meld, they taste even better.

To assemble: Place half a zucchini on each plate. Cut the grilled half head of romaine and place as an 'X' on top of zucchini with core at bottom. Arrange tomatoes, sliced avocado, and roasted peppers around the romaine. Drizzle generously with the chimichurri sauce and top with crisp hot bacon.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Jennifer Biesty, Scala's Bistro, 432 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA

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