Chopped Salad with Crispy Bacon and Goat Cheese

Chopped Salad with Crispy Bacon and Goat Cheese

• 1 1/2 cup vinegar such as red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar

• 4 carrots, diced 1/4”

• 4 stalks celery, thinly sliced

• 1 bell pepper, diced

• 1/2 fennel, thinly sliced

• 4 slices bacon, cut into small pieces

• 1 apple, diced

• 1/2 cucumber, diced

• handful of chopped parsley

• 1 Tbs. Dijon mustard

• 2 tsp. honey

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• salt and pepper

• 1 cup goat cheese

• 1 cup toasted walnuts

Bring the vinegar to a boil in a medium pot. Add the carrots, celery, bell pepper and fennel. Stir well and let the mixture come to room temperature.

In a medium saute pan, add the bacon and cook over medium low until crispy. Remove from heat and place bacon on a paper towel lined plate.

Strain the carrots, celery, and bell pepper saving the vinegar. Place the vegetables into a large bowl. Add the apple, cucumber and parsley.

In a small bowl combine 1/4 cup of the vinegar, mustard and honey. Mix well. Add in olive oil and a large pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well to create an emulsion.

Toss the salad with dressing and taste for salt and pepper.

Top salad with bacon, goat cheese, and walnuts.