Kid Friendly Cobb Salad

Here's a kid-friendly Cobb salad recipe you can enjoy preparing with your kids. It may even get them to enjoy some fun vegetables.

When you think of cooking with kids, you should avoid knives, ovens, and stoves and stick to sandwiches. I understand why you may follow that tactic, and I respect your decision.

However, when I cook with my girls, I want the opportunity to spend quality time with them and teach them new skills that will serve them well in the kitchen (and beyond) for the rest of their lives. It might sound just the slightest bit hokey, but positive cooking experiences early in life can lead to confidence that isn't confined to just the kitchen.

I am cautious, especially when working with knives or being around a hot stove. I start them with butter knives, and after showing them how to handle a paring knife, I monitor every cut they make.

My nine-year-old is still using the butter knife, but my eleven-year-old is now working with sharper knives, and I don't take my eyes off her. When either of them is near the stove, I constantly remind them that it is hot, can be dangerous, and to be careful.

(Disclaimer - I'm doing this with my kids, but you must decide if you think your children can handle kitchen knives, kitchen equipment, or being around a hot stove.)

So, I like to make a great Cobb Salad with my daughters for a hearty salad meal. Like so many great recipes, it's truly an American invention devised on the fly at the Brown Derby in Los Angeles in 1937.

What Is A Cobb Salad?

A Cobb salad is a hearty and satisfying dish that's as visually appealing as it is delicious. Originating in the United States, this classic salad has become a staple in global menus, loved for its vibrant colors, diverse textures, and rich flavors.

A Cobb salad is a medley of fresh ingredients artfully arranged on a bed of crisp lettuce. The base typically consists of mixed greens such as romaine lettuce or iceberg lettuce, providing a refreshing crunch and a neutral backdrop for the other ingredients to shine.

One of the defining features of a Cobb Salad is its generous toppings. Traditionally, it includes rows of ingredients neatly arranged over the greens. Succulent diced chicken breast, hard-boiled eggs, crispy bacon, ripe avocado slices, juicy tomatoes, and pungent blue cheese crumbles are commonly found on a Cob salad, offering a symphony of flavors and textures in every bite. Combining protein-rich chicken and eggs, savory bacon, creamy avocado, and tangy cheese creates a harmonious balance that tantalizes the taste buds.

A zesty dressing is drizzled over the top to elevate the salad further. A classic choice is a tangy vinaigrette, which adds a refreshing acidity that complements the richness of the ingredients. Alternatively, creamy dressings like ranch or blue cheese can enhance the indulgent flavors of the salad.

Not only is a Cob salad a feast for the senses, but it’s also a nutritious meal packed with vitamins, minerals, and protein. The variety of ingredients ensures that each serving provides a well-rounded mix of nutrients, making it a satisfying option for health-conscious diners. Rest assured, you’re enjoying a delicious meal and nourishing your body with a balanced array of health benefits.

Whether enjoyed as a light lunch, a refreshing dinner, or even as a crowd-pleasing appetizer at gatherings, a Cob Salad never fails to impress with its vibrant presentation and irresistible flavors. With its timeless appeal and endless variations, it's no wonder that the Cobb Salad remains a beloved classic in the world of culinary delights.

History

The Cobb salad, a beloved classic in American cuisine, boasts a fascinating history that dates back to the early 20th century. Legend has it that the salad was created almost accidentally at the iconic Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood, California.

In 1937, Bob Cobb, the owner of the Brown Derby, found himself hungry late one night and decided to scrounge together a meal from leftovers in the restaurant's kitchen. He gathered various ingredients, including lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, chicken, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, and Roquefort cheese, and chopped them into small pieces. He then arranged the ingredients in rows on a bed of lettuce and topped them with a sprinkling of blue cheese.

As he enjoyed his impromptu creation, a friend who witnessed his meal asked if he could have the "Cobb Salad." The name stuck, and soon, the dish became a sensation among the restaurant's patrons.

Today, the Cobb Salad remains a beloved dish, enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless appeal and the ingenuity of its creator, Bob Cobb, who unwittingly invented one of America's most iconic salads. Whether served as a light lunch, a hearty dinner, or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, the Cobb Salad continues to delight diners with its delicious flavors and rich history.

Ingredients for Cobb Salad

I'm sure most of you have had at least a variation on this salad: cooked chicken, mixed greens, avocado, hard-cooked eggs, and bacon, all dressed with a simple vinaigrette.

The great thing about the Cobb Salad is that there are so many preparation techniques that the more difficult tasks could be left to older children while younger children still have plenty to do to help. Let's quickly examine the recipe before I go into all the different skills.

After reading it, I hope you can see the potential for fun with this salad. There is no reason you can't add other ingredients. Tailor it to your family's tastes.

It might not be a traditional Cobb Salad, but add some if your family likes olives or broccoli. If they like tuna, use that instead of, or in addition to, the chicken. Use goat cheese or even a mild cheddar in place of the Roquefort. Use this as a template for all sorts of composed salad possibilities.

At the end of the day, what we're looking at is a procedure to

encourage family time, learning, and fun in the kitchen
get healthy food into your family
show your kids that making a salad is far from intimidating -- dice up some ingredients, put them on some greens and make a simple vinaigrette.

I hope this Cobb Salad idea encourages you to cook with your kids. I guarantee that everyone will have a great time and that a lot of vegetable eating will happen!

📖 Recipe

Print Recipe

Cobb Salad Recipe To Prepare With Your Kids

Prep Time30

Cook Time30

Total Time1

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Salad

½ head Romaine lettuce
½ head Boston lettuce
1 bunch frisee curly endive
½ bunch watercress remove tough stems
6 slices bacon
2 ripe avocados
1 lime juice from
1 whole skinless boneless chicken breast (about 12 oz.)
1 tomato
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons fresh chives chopped

For the Vinaigrette

⅓ cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
1 teaspoons sugar
salt and pepper to taste
⅔ cup olive oil light
4 oz Roquefort cheese

Instructions

For the Salad

Rinse and spin all the lettuces.
Tear it all into bite-sized pieces.
Cook the bacon until crisp. Let cool on paper towels, and then crumble.
(Warning: bacon spatters when cooking so pay extra attention if you let your kids cook the bacon or do it yourself. An alternative is to use the microwave. It does a pretty good job without the splatter.)
Halve, pit and cube the avocado. Toss with the lime juice to inhibit browning.
Poach, cool and dice the chicken breast.
Halve, seed then dice the tomato.
Hard boil, cool and peel the eggs. Finely chop the whites and the yolks separately.

For the Vinaigrette

In a bowl, combine the vinegar, mustard, 1 teaspoon sugar, salt and pepper. Whisk very well to combine.
While whisking, slowly add the oil in a thin stream.
Stir in the crumbled cheese.
Taste, and stir in a bit more sugar, salt or pepper, if necessary.

Assembling the Salad

Toss all the greens together and arrange in an even layer on a large platter.
Place the crumbled bacon, diced avocado, diced chicken, diced tomato, egg whites, and egg yolks on top of the lettuce.
This is where you can have some fun. You can arrange the ingredients in stripes; you can talk about fractions and have your child sprinkle the chicken on "half of the salad;" you can place the ingredients in a checkerboard pattern. The only rule is to place all of the ingredients and try not to have any of the plain greens peeking out.
Don't forget to sprinkle on the chives.
Evenly pour the dressing on the salad (you might not use it all).

Notes

Dig in.

Cobb Salad Recipe To Prepare With Your Kids