Last week I saw this salad and it just about drove me WILD! I was super inspired to make a huge “Salad for Dinner Salad” and decided that I had to get into the kitchen right away.
The idea of my favorite salad goodies (avocado, red onion and crunchy lettuce) mixed with sweet summer corn and APRICOTS!!! was good enough. But when I topped it all with crispy bacon crumbles and a sweet Apricot poppyseed dressing, it was just the very best.
In fact, it was so good, that I made this twice last week. That’s serious. I think that the dressing was such a hit with my family, and I think it would be equally delicious with peaches or nectarines.
There is something about that sweet and tart combo that really makes the flavors special. It also happens to be a perfect compliment when you are barbequing chicken or steak or salmon.
Over here I am planning to dig into healthy salads like this for the next few days before we take off for New York, since I have been getting a little overzealous with things like ice cream lately… What are your favorite meals right now?
Recipe: Summer Salad with Apricot Poppyseed Dressing and Bacon Crumble
Ingredients
- Apricot Poppyseed Dressing
- 3 apricots, pits removed
- 4 tablespoons sweet yellow onion, chopped
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- kosher salt to taste
- 2 teaspoons poppyseeds
- 2 romaine hearts, chopped into bite sized pieces
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 large avocado, thinly sliced
- 2 ears of fresh corn, cut off of the cob
- 3 apricots
- 4 slices of bacon cooked to crispy
Instructions
- For the Apricot Poppyseed Dressing:
- In the jar of a blender, combine the apricots, onion, oil, vinegar and honey. Puree the ingredients to a smooth dressing. Season to taste with kosher salt. Stir in poppyseeds until the dressing is fully incorporated and smooth.
- For the Salad:
- On a platter arrange the salad and top it with the onion, avocado slices, raw corn, and apricot slices. Drizzle with the Apricot Poppyseed Dressing and then top with the crispy crumbled bacon.
Preparation time: 15 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 4
Wow! I would never have thought to use apricots quite like this. Such a delicious-sounding combination with the avocado and corn. I have every intention to eat a plateful of this for dinner very soon!
That Apricot Poppyseed Dressing would be amazing on just about anything or keep it a little thicker and almost use it as a dip. Mmmm, delish! Gorgeous salad & pinned!
This salad looks great for dinner. When you make something twice in a week, you know it’s a winner! yum!
You sold me with the apricots and avocado! Love!
Beautiful salad!!! I love using fresh corn in salads and the sweet that the apricots add is perfect!
That dressing is happening today! Love it and the whole ensemble.
Gorgeous!
That dressing looks fantastic! I love dressings that have a good balance of sour+salty+sweet, and poppyseeds are always exciting 😉
I am so excited about the corn season. It’s just started here, in Montreal, and I’ve been eating it daily, mostly on the cob with butter, but I think a salad like this, with bacon, is in order.
Totally having this for lunch!! Great salad Heather 🙂
Went to grocer and no apricots…am substituting mango…so far the dressing is yummy! Imagine the salad will be a big hit as well..
Wow, what an abundant salad, Heather!! This looks amazing!!
Sounds and looks like an amazing meal!
Ooooh, I want to make that dressing so badly!!
This dressing looks killer! I’ve kinda been burned out on the old balsamic vin lately so this is perfect!
Omg this looks SO amazing! I don’t think I have seen any local apricots, and I totally do not want to test out the ones at the supermarket (like rocks, I tell you!) so I am thinking I will sub some delicious local peaches?? Unless Trader Joe’s comes through with apricots- love me some TJ 🙂 Also, what are your thoughts on trying to make this with rehydrated dried apricots when fresh ones are out of season? Just in the dressing, I think- I would probably not add dried ones to the salad. I am anticipating loving this so much that I will want to make it year-round!!
Made this today for Father’s Day at the in-laws. Loved it! Beautiful and healthy and I like that it’s a summer salad, but not with the usual suspects, such tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes… I enjoyed a new way of using apricots, which I have been very into this year.
Thank you Karen! So glad that you liked it!
I made this salad last night for dinner (substituting peaches) and it was delicious! We grilled up a steak on the side. What a great meal. Thanks for the recipe!