Best Bacon Watercress Salad Recipes

SOFT-BOILED EGG, BACON & WATERCRESS SALAD

Steps:

• Put the eggs in a pan of cold water and bring to the boil. Boil for 3 mins, then lift into a bowl of iced water and cool completely. Very carefully peel away the shells. Leave the eggs in the iced water until you finish the recipe, or for up to 1 hr ahead.
• Mix the shallot with the vinegar and a pinch of salt, then set aside for a few minutes to soften. Whisk in the mustard, oil and chives, if using, to make a dressing.
• Heat the grill to low-medium and cook the bacon until crisp right through. Remove the bacon, then brush the bacon juice and fat all over the bread. Grill the bread for about 1 min on each side until crisp, then cut into soldiers and keep warm.
• Just before serving, bring the pan of water back to the boil and add the eggs. Boil for 1 min to reheat. Toss the dressing with the watercress and divide between 2 plates. Top with an egg and 2 rashers of bacon, with the toast to the side. The egg yolks will still be runny inside.

TYLER FLORENCE'S AVOCADO SALAD WITH LEMON, BACON AND WATERCRESS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Lay the bacon on a baking sheet lined with parchment and bake for 15 minutes, until crispy. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and let it drain for a couple of minutes.
• Break or cut the avocados into chunks and arrange on a platter. Drizzle with the lemon juice and olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Scatter the watercress over the avocado and top with the bacon.

BACON-WATERCRESS SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• Meanwhile, segment the oranges: Cut the ends off, then cut away the peel and white pith. Working over a bowl, cut along both sides of each membrane with a paring knife to remove the segments, allowing them to drop into the bowl. Discard any seeds.
• Put the garlic on a cutting board and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt, then mash into a paste with the flat side of a large knife. Whisk the vinegar and garlic paste in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper, then whisk in the olive oil. Add the watercress, parsley and escarole and toss to coat. Divide the salad among plates and crumble the bacon on top. Sprinkle with the oranges, hazelnuts, dates and blue cheese. Serve with cornbread, if desired.

AVOCADO SALAD WITH LEMON, BACON AND WATERCRESS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Lay the bacon in a saute pan and bake for 15 minutes, until crispy. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and let it drain for a couple of minutes.
• Scoop out each half of the avocado using an oversized spoon and arrange on a platter. Scatter the watercress over the avocado and crumble the bacon over the top. Drizzle with the lemon juice and olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

NEW POTATO, WATERCRESS & BACON SALAD WITH SOURED CREAM DRESSING

Steps:

• Bring a pan of salted water to the boil. Lightly scrub the potatoes to remove any dirt but don't peel them. Cook the potatoes in boiling salted water for 10-15 minutes until tender.
• While the potatoes are cooking, grill the bacon until it is crisp, then drain on kitchen paper.
• Mix together the soured cream, olive oil and vinegar or lemon juice, and season with some salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remove any tough stalks from the watercress and very coarsely chop the leaves.
• Drain the potatoes in a colande rand cool under cold running water. Rip the bacon into big chunky pieces. Toss the potatoes in the dressing and toss in the watercress and bacon. Season to taste and serve.

BRIE, WATERCRESS AND BACON SALAD WITH SPICY PEAR DRESSING

Steps:

• For the salad, heat a frying pan and fry the bacon for 2-3 minutes.
• Add the croissant pieces and a little olive oil and fry until the bacon and croissants are golden-brown and crisp. Remove from the pan and drain on kitchen paper.
• Place the herbs, watercress and Brie into a bowl and mix well.
• For the spicy pear and chilli dressing, melt the butter in a small saucepan, add the chopped pear and cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Add the sugar, vinegar, chilli flakes and olive oil and cook for a further 1-2 minutes.
• To serve, place the herbs, watercress and Brie onto a plate, top with the bacon and croissant croûtons and pour over the dressing.

CREAMY EGG SALAD WITH BACON, SHALLOTS, AND WATERCRESS

Steps:

• 1. In medium skillet over medium heat, fry bacon until brown and crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer bacon with slotted spoon to plate lined with paper towel; pour off all but 1 tablespoon of fat from pan. Add shallots and sauté until softened and browned, about 5 minutes. 2. Place eggs in medium saucepan, cover with 1 inch of water, and bring to boil over high heat. Remove pan from heat, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, fill a medium bowl with 1 quart water and 1 tray of ice cubes (or equivalent). Transfer eggs to ice water bath with slotted spoon; let sit 5 minutes, peel and dice medium. 3. Mix all ingredients, including bacon and shallots, together in medium bowl, including pepper to taste. Serve. (Can be covered and refrigerated overnight.)

WATERCRESS AND BACON SALAD

Steps:

• 1. Trim the large stems off the watercress. Tear the romaine leaves into bite-size pieces. Dry the greens in a lettuce spinner, and put them into a bowl. Cover and refrigerate. 2. In a medium skillet, over medium heat, cook the bacon until brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels, break into small pieces, and reserve. 3. Add the tomato to the bowl of greens. In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, salt and oil. Add the dressing to the salad and toss to coat. Mound the salad on a serving platter. Sprinkle the top with the cheese and the bacon. Serve. From "1,000 Mexican Recipes." Copyright 2001 by Marge Poore. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

CHARRED BABY GEM, WATERCRESS & BACON SALAD

Steps:

• Brush the lettuce halves with 1 tbsp of the oil, then place on a baking tray and use a blowtorch to lightly char them all over. Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan, add the bacon lardons and fry until really crispy. Remove using a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper, leaving all the fat in the pan.
• To make the dressing, add the lemon juice to the pan with the bacon fat and stir, taste and season. Toss the lettuce, watercress and lardons together with the dressing in a large bowl, then arrange on a platter.