“Red Acre” Cabbage and Butter Lettuce Salad with Apple, and Gorgonzola, and Pumpernickel Croutons

COURTESY OF CHEF DAVID BOOTH
Goochland Tech

YIELD 6 Servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 8 oz. smoked bacon slices, cut into ¼-inch-wide strips
  • 3 slices pumpernickel bread, crusts removed, cut into ¼-inch dice, (1 cup)
  • 1 Tablespoon sherry vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 3 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 Granny Smith or other tart apple
  • 1 ½ cup butter lettuce
  • 1 ½ cup “Red Acre” Cabbage Leaves
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries
  • 2 ounces crumbled Gorgonzola

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Cook bacon in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, then add pumpernickel to the fat in the skillet and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp, about 4 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Whisk together the vinegar and mustard. Add oil in a slow stream, whisking until emulsified, then season with salt and pepper.
  3. Halve apple lengthwise and core. Cut apple halves crosswise into ¼-inch-thick slices.
  4. Toss lettuce with cranberries, apple, croutons, half of the bacon, and dressing. Divide salad among plates, the garnish with Gorgonzola and remaining bacon.