Cobb salad is a classic American dish known for its hearty combination of ingredients and distinctive presentation. One key characteristic of a Cobb salad is the way the ingredients are presented. Instead of being tossed together, the ingredients are arranged in neat rows or sections, showcasing their colors and textures.
The Cobb salad is believed to have been created in the 1930s by Robert Howard Cobb, the owner of the Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood, California. The story goes that Cobb invented the salad late one night when he was hungry, using leftovers from the kitchen. It quickly became a signature dish at the Brown Derby and eventually a staple in American cuisine.
A traditional Cobb salad includes the following ingredients, usually arranged in rows or sections on a plate:
• Lettuce: Typically a mix of iceberg, romaine, watercress, or other greens.
• Chicken: Cooked, often grilled, roasted, or poached, and diced or sliced.
• Bacon: Crispy, crumbled bacon adds a smoky flavor.
• Avocado: Sliced or diced, avocado contributes creaminess.
• Tomato: Diced tomatoes add freshness and color.
• Hard-boiled Eggs: Sliced or chopped, eggs add richness and protein.
• Blue Cheese: Crumbled blue cheese provides a sharp, tangy flavor.
• Chives: Finely chopped chives are often sprinkled on top for a mild onion flavor.
The original Cobb salad is typically dressed with a red wine vinaigrette. However, other dressings like ranch or blue cheese dressing are sometimes used. You can watch a step-by-step video on how to best prepare a Cobb salad at home here.
To celebrate the end of a scorching summer, we decided to pair the salad with a refreshing cocktail: an amontillado sherry Dark n’ Stormy. Any dry, oxidative sherry will work best in a Dark ‘n Stormy. We chose Lustau Amontillado Los Arcos due to its salinity and nuttiness, accentuating the ginger beer’s flavor, as well as bringing a nuanced depth to the cocktail that complements the flavors of the salad: The wine’s complex savoriness and acidity can enhance the rich, varied flavors of the Cobb salad, particularly the salty chicken, blue cheese, bacon, and avocado. The spicy and slightly sweet taste of ginger beer complements the tomatoes and offsets the tanginess of the vinaigrette and the blue cheese’s sharpness, adding a refreshing contrast. The overall crispness and bite of the cocktail contrast nicely with the creamy texture of the avocado and the tender texture of the chicken and eggs, providing an engaging contrast in textures between sips and bites.
Prepare your drink following the steps below or go to our Dark & Stormy entry to find out more about this classic, refreshing highball.
STEP-BY-STEP PREPARATION OF A HOMEMADE COBB SALAD
Dark ‘n Stormy ingredients list:
• 2oz Lustau Amontillado Los Arcos
• 6oz Ginger Beer
• Garnish: Lime Wedge
How to prepare a Dark ‘n Stormy cocktail at home:
1. Add Amontillado sherry to a high ball glass
2. Add ice and top with Ginger Beer
3. Gently stir and garnish with a lime wedge
