A STRONG, RICH FLAVORED CHEESE
Gorgonzola is one of those strong, rich cheeses that has a flavor somewhat like an aged blue cheese. Gorgonzola is an essential flavor ingredient for this salad. I love to pair multiple contrasting flavors together in my salads—it’s kinda my style. Whether I’m using sweet and salty flavor combos, or bitter with sweet, I always try to layer contrasting flavors that pack a punch.
TANGY TEMPTATION FOR THE MOUTH
This salad begins with naturally sweet elements of strawberries and dried fruits, and then the fig-vanilla flavored vinaigrette accents those sweet elements with a subtle, tangy temptation for the mouth. When these elements are paired with the salty, maple flavored bacon—BAM!!!!!!! A punch of gorgonzola hits your tongue palate right in the middle of it, and you weren’t expecting that fig flavor, now were you!
There is an amazing vinegar store called Celia’s Marketplace with loads of delicious vinegar combinations. They sell these vinegars online. I often use “unusual” vinegars to add interesting flavors to my salads that couldn’t be achieved with just ingredients. It’s just another layer of dimension for the tongue! Don’t be afraid to experiment. I do it all the time!
Maple Bacon, Strawberry Gorgonzola Salad with a Fig Vanilla Balsamic Dressing
For the ingredients:
4 cups baby spinach
4 cups arugula
1 lb maple bacon, cooked and chopped
1 lb sliced ripe strawberries
1/2 cup dried cranberry/golden raisin mix
1 (4 oz )container Gorgonzola
For the Vinaigrette Dressing:
1/4 cup fig vanilla balsamic, 1/4 cup aged balsamic, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1 Teaspoon yellow mustard, 1 Tablespoon dry onion pieces, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 Tablespoons honey , 1/8 cup water.
Shake all ingredients in a mason jar.
