Southern Cobb Salad

Years ago, we were sitting in a little Mexican restaurant when a salad called the Fiesta Cobb caught my eye. I’m a sucker for a good Cobb salad, it’s one of my favorites. I began experimenting in my own kitchen, taking the vibrant flavors of the Fiesta Cobb and giving them a Southern spin. I swapped a few ingredients and ended up with this Southern Cobb Salad, complete with crispy cornbread croutons and all the colorful, hearty toppings that make Cobb salads so irresistible.

Making the Cornbread

Making the cornbread croutons is well worth it and truly makes the recipe. Prepare a cornbread mix according to the package instructions. Once baked, let it sit out overnight to help the texture firm up so it’s easy to cut later.

Preheat the oven to 375 F, remove the pre-baked cornbread from the pan and use the 7-3/4" Petite Slicer to cut it into one-inch pieces.

Spread the cornbread pieces onto a sheet pan, give them a quick mist of cooking spray and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Pop them in the oven for about 15 minutes, turning once so they get golden and crisp on all sides. Set them aside to cool while you prep the rest of your salad.

Assemble the Salad

Grab two large romaine hearts and give them a good rinse and dry. Then, using the 7-5/8" Petite Chef, chop them into bite-sized pieces.

Spread the chopped romaine across a large serving platter or salad bowl. This will be the canvas for all your colorful toppings.

Use the Super Shears to cut the cooked bacon.

Chop two avocados with the 4″ Gourmet Paring Knife.

Then, use the Santoku-Style Trimmer to cube a cooked chicken breast or cutlet.

Arrange the toppings in order in a straight line across the top of the salad, slightly angled for that restaurant-style presentation. The presentation of this salad is my favorite thing about this recipe, it’s a showstopper when you host a crowd. Right before serving, drizzle with your favorite dressing and dig in.

Each bite of this Southern Cobb Salad gives you that true Southern taste, but on the lighter side. It proves you don’t have to give up bold Southern flavor to enjoy something fresh and wholesome.