Purple Cabbage Winter Salad

This afternoon I had a few friends over for lunch and I wanted to make a winter meal salad that would not only visually impress, but also pack big, bold flavors and textures. Cabbage is plentiful during the winter months and it is a prefect ingredient for this salad. The color is amazing, the texture is crunchy and the flavor is spectacular. If you are looking for a new way to utilize your cabbage this winter, give this vivacious, flavorful meal a try.

Yield: 4 lunch size salads

Ingredients

1 small purple cabbage
1 McIntosh apple
4 strips of smoked bacon
2 eggs
1/4 cup blue cheese
4 oz. green beans
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tsp. honey
4 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Procedure
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
1. Wash green beans, trim the ends and place into a glass bowl. Cover the beans in water and microwave for 3-4 minutes. This will cook the beans but leave them crispy. If you like your beans cooked more, microwave for 5-6 minutes instead.  Once cooked, rinse the beans in cold water, pat dry and set aside.
2. Place the two eggs in a small pot and cover with water. Once the water is boiling cook for 7 minutes. This will cook the egg, leaving it slightly soft in the centre. Once cooked and cooled, peel the shell off the eggs, slice in half and set aside.
3. Place the bacon on a rack-lined sheet pan and bake for 12 minutes or until crispy.  Once cooked, pat off any extra grease and set aside.
4. Using a mandolin or a sharp knife, slice the cabbage 1/8 inch thick and set aside.
5. Slice the apple in 1/8 inch thick disks and then slice into matchsticks. Place the sliced apple into a bowl of water with a splash of lemon juice, if you slice the apples in advance. This will help keep the apples from turning brown.
6. Place the mustard, honey, vinegar, EVOO, salt and pepper in a bowl or a jar. Whisk or shake until the dressing is well combined.
7. Toss the green beans and the cabbage in the dressing until well combined. Evenly serve the mixture on each plate.
8. Top each salad with apple, bacon, blue cheese, and egg.
9. Enjoy!!!!!


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