Name: Patricia Wells's Cobb Salad: Iceberg, Tomato, Avocado, Bacon, and Blue Cheese
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2 1/2 ounces smoked bacon, rind removed, cut into matchsticks (3/4 cup); 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped (4 cups); 2 ripe heirloom tomatoes, cored, peeled, seeded, and chopped; 1 large ripe avocado, halved, pitted, peeled, and cubed; 4 ounces chilled blue cheese (preferably Roquefort), crumbled (1 cup); 4 small spring onions or scallions, white part only, trimmed, peeled, and cut into thin rounds; Yogurt and Lemon Dressing; Coarse, freshly ground black pepper

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Patricia Wells's Cobb Salad: Iceberg, Tomato, Avocado, Bacon, and Blue CheeseJeff Kauck

Robert H. Cobb, owner of the Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood, is said to have invented this salad in the 1930s as a late-night snack for himself. No wonder it has remained an American classic. With the crunch of the iceberg and onions, the soft richness of the avocado, the saltiness of the bacon, the sweetness of the tomato, and the bite of the blue cheese, this salad has it all! And it is beautiful to boot.

Cooks' Note

WINE SUGGESTION: This is a special salad, one that seems to hit the spot with all my guests, so let's open a nice, special bottle of smoky-style Alsatian Riesling from the house of Léon Beyer, Trimbach, or Hugel. Neither you nor your guests will be disappointed.

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