Watercress Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing
This Watercress Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing is a delicious and easy way to enjoy watercress, bacon and a warm dressing all in one! The watercress provides a nice peppery flavor, while the bacon adds some savory goodness. The dressing brings it all together with its combination of balsamic vinegar, honey and Dijon mustard. This salad is sure to please everyone at your next gathering!
Ingredients
- Watercress Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing:
- -2 bunches watercress
- -3 to 4 slices bacon
- -1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- -4 teaspoons sugar
- -Salt and Pepper
- -1 pinch ground mustard
- -1 pinch paprika
Instructions
1. Rinse the watercress thoroughly, removing any old leaves or thick stems. Set aside in a serving bowl.
2. In a small stick-free pan, cook the bacon over medium heat until done, several minutes on each side. Remove from the pan and put on a paper towel to absorb excess grease. Keep the bacon fat in the pan for later use.
3. To make the dressing, add cider vinegar and sugar to the bacon fat remaining in the pan. Stir to dissolve then sprinkle with salt and pepper, ground mustard and paprika. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary – this dressing should be sweet-sour so if it is too acidic, add more sugar; if too sweet, add more vinegar.
4. Bring dressing to a simmer then pour over watercress in serving bowl. Crumble bacon over top of salad and toss before serving immediately.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 107
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated fat: 3.1 g
- Unsaturated fat: 0 g
- Trans fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 16 mg
- Sodium: 188 mg
- Potassium: 107 mg
- Carbohydrates : 5.6 g
- Fiber 1.3g Sugar 4g Protein 2.7g
FAQs
How do you make watercress taste better?
Watercress is a versatile leafy green that can be steamed, used in soup, or made into sandwiches. While it has a slightly bitter taste, there are ways to make watercress taste better.
One way to improve the flavor of watercress is to pair it with lemon juice or blue cheese. The acidity of the lemon juice helps to offset the bitterness of the watercress, while the blue cheese adds a rich and creamy flavor. If you’re using watercress in a sandwich, try adding some thinly sliced prosciutto or ham for extra flavor.
Another way to make watercress taste better is to cook it with other flavorful ingredients. For example, if you’re making soup, add some chopped onion, garlic, and celery along with the watercress. This will give the soup more depth of flavor and make it more enjoyable to eat. You could also sautee watercress with ginger and scallions for a simple side dish that packs a lot of flavor.
If you find yourself with fresh watercress that’s starting to wilt, don’t throw it away! Wilted greens can often be revived by soaking them in cold water for 10-15 minutes. After soaking, rinse off the greens and pat them dry before cooking as usual.
How do you prepare watercress to eat?
Watercress is a leafy green vegetable that is often used in salads. It has a slightly peppery flavor and is rich in vitamins and minerals. Watercress can be eaten raw or cooked, but it is best enjoyed raw in a salad.
To prepare watercress for eating, simply remove the thick stems and rinse the leaves well under running water. Then, add the watercress to your salad or enjoy as is with a squeeze of lemon juice. Watercress pairs well with other fresh vegetables like cucumber and tomatoes, as well as fruits like strawberries. You can also add watercress to sandwiches or wraps for a flavorful twist.
What do you do with a bag of watercress?
A bag of watercress can be used in a variety of ways. Watercress has a peppery flavour and a dark green colour, making it a versatile ingredient for many recipes.
Watercress can be used in salads, smoothies, soup, sandwiches, sauce, pesto, stir fries and dips. It is also a healthy option for snacks or as a garnish on meals. When buying watercress, look for fresh leaves that are free from brown spots or wilting. Avoid any bunches that have yellow flowers attached, as this indicates the plant is past its prime.
To store watercress, place it in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer of your fridge where it will keep fresh for up to four days. Before using watercress in recipes give the leaves a quick rinse under cold running water to remove any dirt or sand particles. To use watercress in salads simply tear or chop the leaves into bite sized pieces then add them to your favourite salad recipe. Watercress goes well with other leafy greens such as spinach or kale and can also be paired with fruits like strawberries or oranges. For something different try adding some chopped watercress to your next smoothie or soup recipe. The peppery flavour of watercress pairs well with creamy soups like potato leek soup or roasted carrot soup.
How do I prepare watercress?
Watercress is a delicious, nutritious leafy green that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. To prepare watercress, simply rinse the leaves in cold water and remove any tough stems. Then, slice or chop the leaves as desired. Serve immediately or store in a covered container in the fridge for up to one day.
