As Spring approaches, one thing I start to crave is big salads that pack a lot of flavor. Here is one of my favorite winter salads that for you all to enjoy for this week’s Flashback Friday. I will be the first to admit as much as I LOVE salad, it’s really all about the mix’-in’s, toppers and how BIG I can make it. I mean, who doesn’t love creamy feta cheese, crisp salty bacon and toasted, sweet pecans on crunchy salad. But, there is just something about combining all these flavors with this colorful balsamic, pear, carrot, cabbage salad that makes this salad out of this world. I honestly never knew salad could be this good until now. I am pretty sure I dreamed about having this salad again all night after we made it lol.
I think there are a few things that really “make” this salad one you will make over and over again.
A little of the REAL DEAL cheese goes a long way.
You could save on calories/fat by using a low fat or fat free feta, but, sometimes that rich, creamy, salty, melt in your mouth cheese is needed.
Where you can SAVE on CALORIES & FAT is by using center cut bacon.
You get 3 slices of Oscar Meyer Center Cut bacon for the same points+ value as 1 slice of the real deal. You won’t miss the flavor or the fat.
I didn’t use turkey bacon because I wanted to have that rich bacon flavor throughout the salad. I infused the shallots with all that bacon goodness and drained them before adding them to the dressing.
Have fun with FLAVORED Vinegars!!!
I love Balsamic vinegar because it is both sweet and tart. We decided to use this PastaMore White Balsamic with Pears to play off the pear that we used in the salad…..it really just added another layer of deliciousness.
Last, but, not least, make this salad because I am pretty sure you will fall in love with it…it is by far one of the best salads I’ve made in a long time that will get repeated again and again.
CRUNCHY FETA, BACON & PECAN SALAD (print it!)
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 medium head red cabbage, finely shredded
- 2 cup shredded carrots
- 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
- 1 large pear, cored and thinly sliced
- 5 slices center cut bacon, cooked and roughly chopped, grease reserved
- 1/2 cup white balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup dry roasted chopped pecans
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 2 oz. feta cheese
- Sea salt & black pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Combine cabbage through pear in a large bowl and toss. After cooking the bacon, add the shallot to the bacon grease. Cook for 4 minutes or until softened and slightly browned. Remove the shallot from the pan and drain on a paper towel.
2. Whisk together the cooked shallot, balsamic and olive oil in a small bowl and pour over cabbage mixture. Marinate the salad for 20 minutes by chilling it in the fridge.
3. Just before serving, add feta cheese, bacon, cranberries and pecans. Stir just until combined and season with salt & pepper to taste.
Makes 8 servings, 1 1/4 cups each, 4 points+ or 6 SmartPoints each
Nutritional information per serving based on 8 servings calculated at caloriecount.com
HERE ARE THE OTHER EUPHRATES FETA – UP RECIPES I MADE LAST YEAR:
* Creamy Feta, Dill Spinach Dip with Crispy Zucchini Medallions, 3 points+
* Grilled Sausage, Pepper & Feta Pizza, 6 points+
* Cinnamon Apple Pie Feta Won Ton Turnovers, 3 points+
I have been thinking about this recipe ever since we received a big head of organic red cabbage we received in our Farm Fresh To You Farm Box. This is one of my favorite recipe series from the archives that I thought I’d share since I am taking tonight off. You do not even have to be a stinky cheese lover to enjoy Euphrates Feta…it really is creamy, salty and delicious (coming from a non-stinky cheese lover).
Night all!
OMG! That sounds sooooo good! I love every single thing you put in it and I am so trying it!
Where did you get that vinegar from?
Yummers! I love salads like that and you are so right it’s all about the mix-ins that make it a delicious salad.
I’m making this, this weekend. It looks amazing!
That looks fantastic!!!! I am going to possibly make this over the weekend. I made the split pea soup last night. I actually really enjoyed it. I even (this is gross) ate some cold by dipping some light chips in it. It was delightful!!!
Wow…I am such an idiot. The entire time I’m reading it I was thinking…how many servings is this. I know she said she likes big salads but THAT is a big salad. I feel better now seeing that it’s 8 servings.
I would much appreciate some feta right now 😀
Love your salad Danica! I agree, I use real cheese and bacon all the time, just not as much – the flavor is just so much better.
I need to find a vinegar like that! 😀
you are absolutely right Danica…it is all about the toppings! lol
LOVE center cut bacon….don’t love the cost so much…although I have found it on sale at Target, of all places, for under $3. It is over $6 at my grocery…but you are correct about it being the absolute REAL deal!
I have chocolate and vanilla balsamic vinegar. I have been to two places ( NY and Myrtle Beach) that sell all sorts of flavors of balsamic…I am like a kid in a candy store!
HI Nikki,
I actually got the vinegar at a Home and Garden show. I think it’s like a pampered chef/tupperware thing based on their website. It looks like you can order online. I haven’t ever checked to see if it is sold in stores, but, it might be worth a try.
http://www.pastamore.com/products.cfm?CatID=21
Good luck,
Danica
Hi Danica,
This does sound like a great recipe. Can you explain why the center cut bacon is 3 slices for 1 point? The new 360 Pocket Guide says: Bacon, cooked, crisp 4 point plus points. Did I miss something?
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen,
The values that show up in the pocket guide are average values for several brands and not necessarily for center cut bacon or a specific product. If you look up Oscar Meyer Bacon in the Complete Foods Companion by name, on the online tracker or calculate the points+ based on the nutrition facts, you will see you get a lot more bang for your buck….it’s thinner and leaner than normal bacon but just as delicious.
Does that make sense?
Danica
My mouth is watering…. 😀
Danica – you always have the best pics/recipes/etc. Thanks for sharing this amazing-looking salad and taking time to share with us. You inspire me!
Another place to order gourmet foods from…yipeeeee!! Must try that yummy looking salad! With pears from Harry & David it’s a sure winner!!
Yum, I want this salad right now…I might even get up between football games and walk to the store for the ingredients 🙂
I love OM center cut bacon, its my favorite bacon and I’d gladly chose it over any other because I don’t like fatty foods and this bacon is lean. I make an egg sandwich in the morning on a Bay’s English muffin with this bacon and its so good.
Thanks for this delicious recipe. I have a cabinet full of flavored balsamic vinegars and olive oils and this recipe has inspired me to experiment with them. I like your proportions of vinegar and olive oil.