The food lab better home cooking through science ( PDFDrive ) 1056

CHOPPEDRANCH
COBBSALAD
TheclassicCobbsaladisoneofthosemore-calories-thanany-entrée-on-the-menudishesthatletsyoufeelsomewhat
virtuousallthewhileknowingthatreallyyoujustwantto
stuff your face with bacon, avocado, and blue cheese.
Thereain’tnothingwrongwiththat.IfaCobbsaladfeels
alittleuncomposed,that’sbecauseitis:it’snothingmore
than a handful of ingredients all thrown together on the
sameplate.ThekeytoagreatCobbsaladistomakesure
thateachoneofthosecomponentsisperfect.
The chicken in a Cobb should be supremely moist and
tender.You can accomplish this by poaching the chicken
innot-too-hotwateruntilitregistersexactly150°Fonan
instant-read thermometer. At this stage, it’s cooked
throughbutstillretainsmostofitsmoisture,withoutany
stringinesstospeakof.
Theremainderoftheingredients—thebacon,theeggs,
the dressing—are pretty straightforward, and luckily we
alreadyhavegreattechniquesthat’lltakecareofthem.If
youareplanningthissaladforaparty orapicnic,allthe
ingredientscanbepreppedinadvancetobeplatedatthe
lastmoment,thoughforbestresults,youshouldcookthe
baconanddicetheavocadojustbeforeserving.
NOTE:Leftoverroastchickencanbeusedinplaceofthe
poachedchicken.


SERVES4ASAMAINCOURSE
2boneless,skinlesschickenbreasts,about8ounceseach
Koshersalt
2headsRomainelettuce,roughlychoppedinto1-inch

pieces(about3quarts)
1recipeButtermilkRanchDressing(recipefollows)
Freshlygroundblackpepper
8stripsbacon,cookedandcrumbled
4hard-boiledeggs(seehere),roughlychopped
1avocado,halved,pitted,peeled,anddicedinto½-inch
cubes
1largetomato,dicedinto½-inchcubes
6ouncesRoquefortcheese,crumbled
2tablespoonsfinelymincedfreshchives
1.Placethechickenbreastsinalargesaucepanandcover
with 2 quarts cold water and season with 2 tablespoons
salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to a bare
simmer, and cook until an instant-read thermometer
insertedintothethickestpartofabreastregisters150°F,
about10minutes.Drainthechickenandrunundercold
water until cool enough to handle. Pat dry and dice into
½-inchchunks.
2. Toss the lettuce with half of the dressing in a bowl.
Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide the lettuce
among four serving plates and top with the chicken,
bacon,eggs,avocado,tomato,andcheese,keepingeach
ingredient separate. Season to taste with salt and pepper
andsprinklewiththechives.Serveimmediately,passing