Cobb salad

Cobb salad, 9 May 2006.jpg A classic Cobb Salad

The Cobb salad is a main-dish American garden salad typically made with chopped salad greens (iceberg lettuce, watercress, endives, and Romaine lettuce), tomato, crisp bacon, boiled, grilled or roasted (but not fried) chicken breast, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, chives, Roquefort cheese, and red-wine vinaigrette. Originating from the United States, specifically California, the Cobb salad was created in the 1930s by Bob Cobb, the owner of the Brown Derby restaurant in Los Angeles. It is not only a staple of American cuisine but also a popular dish worldwide, known for its rich texture and savory flavors that blend together in a harmonious mix.

History

The creation of the Cobb salad is attributed to Bob Cobb, the proprietor of the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant. According to legend, Cobb had not eaten until near midnight, so he mixed together leftovers he found in the kitchen along with some bacon cooked by the restaurant's chef, and tossed it with their French dressing. This impromptu meal became an instant favorite and was added to the menu. It quickly gained popularity, especially among Hollywood's elite, and has since become a classic American salad.

Ingredients

The classic Cobb salad ingredients include:

• Lettuce (traditionally a mix of iceberg, watercress, endives, and Romaine)
• Tomatoes
• Crisp bacon
• Chicken breast, boiled, grilled, or roasted
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Avocado
• Chives
• Roquefort cheese
• Vinaigrette, specifically red-wine vinaigrette

Variations of the salad can include different types of lettuce, cheeses, and dressings, but the listed ingredients are considered the traditional components that define a Cobb salad.

Preparation

To prepare a Cobb salad, the lettuce is washed, dried, and chopped into bite-sized pieces. Tomatoes are diced, and the bacon is cooked until crisp and then crumbled. The chicken breast is cooked (usually boiled, grilled, or roasted) and then diced. Hard-boiled eggs are peeled and either chopped or sliced. Avocado is peeled, pitted, and cut into chunks. Roquefort cheese is crumbled, and chives are finely chopped. All ingredients are then arranged in a neat pattern over the bed of lettuce and served with red-wine vinaigrette on the side or drizzled on top.

In Popular Culture

The Cobb salad has made numerous appearances in films, television shows, and literature, often depicted as a quintessential American dish that symbolizes both the simplicity and diversity of American cuisine. Its association with Hollywood and the glamour of the Brown Derby restaurant has cemented its place in American culinary history.

See Also

• Salad
• American cuisine
• List of American foods
• Garden salad