Nothing all that different about this salad … until we start talking about the blueberries! They go brilliantly with the crispy smoked bacon and avocado. And that blueberry dressing … wow!
Mr. Scrummy and I sometimes have a bit of a dilemma. He loves to stay in and potter around, do things on his computer, watch movies and relax, but I love to go out. For me, having to stay in all day is like torture. Even on a rainy day I want to get out, if only for just a short while.
But this past Saturday, we didn’t have this problem. It was one of those perfect summer days, neither too hot nor too cold, and the only thing we both wanted to do was find a nice traditional English country pub with a garden for a lazy lunch. So off we went, and we couldn’t have asked for a more pleasant afternoon (apart from the runny hay fever-y nose I ended up with!).
Now, a couple of days later, and we’re having a ‘heatwave’. British style, which means a few days of heat, more than likely followed by a tremendous thunderstorm and then a return to chilly temperatures (Aren’t I the cynic!).
So, in celebration of our first spell of proper hot weather (finally I can get out the summer gear!) I decided to make a tasty salad. Nothing too unusual on the face of it … just some nice green leaves tossed with crispy bacon, avocado aaand … here’s the twist … blueberries!! Maybe it sounds a bit strange to you to add the blueberries, but hear me out. Bacon is pork and pork often gets paired with fruit, and blueberries are fruit … so why not?
The pièce de résistance of this salad though is definitely the blueberry dressing! I don’t know how you feel about drizzling something purple all over your food, but I promise you it tastes really really good! All it is is olive oil, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, a little squirt of honey and blueberries, and as you can see it ends up looking like purple mayonnaise!
We made a simple dinner of this with some toasted Italian bread drizzled with olive oil and salt (mmm … try that, it’s gooood and goes with so many things!) I sprinkled a little feta cheese over a bit of it just to see if it worked or not, but I decided that it didn’t. The bacon, blueberries and fruity, mustard-y dressing are flavourful enough without needing to add another thing.
So the verdict? This one’s a keeper and I hope you give it a try. Enjoy!
Blueberry, bacon & avocado salad (with a blueberry dressing)
Ingredients
For the salad
- 4 rashers smoked bacon
- 1.75 ounces salad leaves of your choice I used a mixture of rocket, baby spinach & red chard
- 1/2 a large avocado sliced into chunks
- 2.5 ounces blueberries
For the dressing
- 1 ounce blueberries
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon teaspoon clear honey
To serve
- toasted bread drizzled with olive oil & salt optional
Instructions
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Heat a frying pan over a high heat and cook the bacon for a couple of minutes or so on each side until golden and a bit crispy. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
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Scatter the salad leaves over a large plate or platter, then sprinkle over the avocado and blueberries. Tear the bacon over the salad, too.
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To make the dressing, combine all the ingredients in a food processor (hand-held works well) and whizz until smooth.
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Serve the salad with the dressing drizzled over and the toasted bread (if using).
Recipe Notes
Recipe slightly adapted from Tesco magazine June 2015 edition.
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Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
02 Jul 15 at 4:02 amI love blueberries in salads! Plus bacon, and avocado…so this one looks heavenly to me, Helen! Fancy enough to hold my attention but simple so that the flavors shine through. This looks like the best kind of meal to make on a hot summer night – which is looking to be most of the next few months!
Laura @ Raise Your Garden says
02 Jul 15 at 12:48 pmPerfect salad and even more perfect blueberry dressing. i can’t wait to try that! I’m not typically a dressing girl but I’m most definitely wanting to try your spin on blueberry dressing. Never had the like before. How delicious. Heading to the blueberry patch soon for UPick! 2 bucks a pound, can’t beat it. And my husband has vowed not to eat the super high fat dressing anymore, we’ll see how long that lasts.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
02 Jul 15 at 1:17 pmoooh, Blueberry dressing? That isn’t something that I have tried before, but it sounds like a good way to get more fruit in your diet.
[email protected] says
02 Jul 15 at 2:57 pmI love fruit in salads and I think you’ve got a salad winner here with all these delicious flavors. Perfect for Summer.
Kathleen | HapaNomNom says
02 Jul 15 at 3:39 pmWhat a beautiful and creative salad! And your photos are just gorgeous! I can totally relate to craving something light and crisp like a salad during oppressively hot weather. I have never had blueberry dressing, but it sounds like a perfect pairing with the savory bacon.
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
02 Jul 15 at 4:01 pmHelen – that blueberry balsamic dressing just blows my mind! What a delightful combo of flavors in it! Gah – I wanna drink it! But, your method of drizzling it on bacon and greens and blueberries is way way better!
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
02 Jul 15 at 8:18 pmWe’ve been living on salads around here! HOT! This looks like refreshing perfection!
Lori @ TheHealthMinded.com says
02 Jul 15 at 10:47 pmBlueberries are in season and loaded with anti-aging antioxidants, Helen. My husband’s favorite, too! Will give this pretty, pretty salad a try.
Helen says
05 Jul 15 at 10:38 pmHello, Lori! I really hope you do give this a try. It doesn’t hurt that it’s pretty as well as healthy, does it? 🙂
cheri says
03 Jul 15 at 2:07 amHi Helen, blueberry dressing sounds pretty darn good to me, love avocado and bacon together, it’s like a marriage made in heaven. Love this salad.
Helen says
05 Jul 15 at 10:34 pmHello, Cheri! Thank you so much! I loved this salad, and especially the purple dressing! Glad you like the look of it too!
Ciao Florentina says
03 Jul 15 at 2:38 amWhat a lovely salad! I love blueberry dressings, so yummy and pretty ! Also those spoons in the photo: Gorgeous !!
Helen says
05 Jul 15 at 10:34 pmThank you so much! I must admit I was pretty proud of myself for finding the spoons recently in a junk shop. I think they steal the show from the food a bit, though!
Eva says
03 Jul 15 at 6:32 amLa vinaigrette de “blueberry” est très original et change tout dans cette salade d’été ! Bien sûr, que J’aimerais la gouter !
Helen says
05 Jul 15 at 10:33 pmMerci beaucoup, Eva! J’adorais la vinaigrette, et surtout parce que c’est pourpre!
Deepa says
03 Jul 15 at 8:34 amLovely looking salad, something healthy for my weekend thanks:)
Helen says
05 Jul 15 at 10:32 pmHello Deepa! Really happy you like this salad and hope you try it some time!
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
03 Jul 15 at 9:41 amI love the combination of flavours in this salad, Helen! Perfect recipe for this heatwave – it’s been way too hot! Definitely gotta try this soon! Pinning! 😀
Helen says
05 Jul 15 at 10:31 pmIt has been hot, hasn’t it? This weekend was fabulous! Definitely enjoying the salad weather … really happy you like this!
Ethel @eatingininstead says
03 Jul 15 at 11:18 amLooks fabulous. Blueberries are my favorite summer fruit and this looks like a great way to enjoy them!
Helen says
05 Jul 15 at 10:31 pmHello, Ethel! Thanks for passing by and really happy you like the look of this 🙂
Patti @ CooksRecipeCollection.com says
03 Jul 15 at 12:30 pmI love the taste of avocados and blueberries together. This homemade dressing looks amazing also.
Helen says
05 Jul 15 at 10:30 pmThank you, Patti! I love that combo, too, and felt pretty proud of myself for getting the purple dressing right!
Sarah | (Cooking for) Kiwi & Bean says
03 Jul 15 at 1:18 pmI’m always looking for creative salad ideas, and especially ones that might entice my kiddos to eat more salad. They love blueberries so this could do the trick!
Helen says
05 Jul 15 at 10:29 pmHello Sarah! Oh, I really hope you do give this a go for your kiddies … I think they’ll love the purple dressing! 🙂
swayam says
03 Jul 15 at 2:28 pmAs i mentioned earlier…The spoons has got me swooning!! <3 and the salad is simply YUM.
Helen says
05 Jul 15 at 10:29 pmHaha … thank you!! 🙂
Byron Thomas says
03 Jul 15 at 2:43 pmThis looks so yummy!
Helen says
05 Jul 15 at 10:28 pmThank you so much, Byron! 🙂
pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says
03 Jul 15 at 4:00 pmYou make the best salads!
Helen says
05 Jul 15 at 10:28 pmThank you, Pam!!
mira says
03 Jul 15 at 4:03 pmLooks gorgeous Helen! Definitely my kind of salad! And the dressing sounds amazing, pinned to try it! Perfect for summer!
Helen says
05 Jul 15 at 10:28 pmHello Mira! Thank you so much! I really hope you try the dressing … mmmm, it’s delicious!
Ariel says
03 Jul 15 at 5:45 pmBlueberry dressing?? That sounds phenomenal!! We love a good salad here in our house, so I’m definitely going to have to whip this up! So simple, but it sounds great! I’m right there with you about needing to get out of the house, I’d go crazy if I was stuck inside all of the time! Love little mini adventures! Thanks so much for sharing this post! 🙂
Helen says
05 Jul 15 at 10:27 pmHello Ariel! Thank you so much for taking the time to pop by and comment! You really have to try the blueberry dressing. It’s delicious and for some reason I also really loved that it was purple!! (simple minds, you know …)
Glad it’s not just me that goes stir crazy in the house! Hope you’ve had a great weekend 🙂
Sam @ SugarSpunRun says
05 Jul 15 at 3:43 amOh wow, this salad is just gorgeous and so beautifully refreshing! I am seriously in love with how you have combined all of these flavors here! 🙂
Helen says
05 Jul 15 at 10:24 pmHello Sam! Thank you so much! Really happy you like it!
Maggie says
05 Jul 15 at 5:41 amI love the dressing in the recipe. And your pictures are so beautiful! I really love your recent photography style 🙂 Pinning!
Helen says
05 Jul 15 at 10:24 pmThank you so much for your encouragement and compliments, Maggie! I do feel like I’ve improved my photography a bit lately but it’s great to hear others tell me that. Still a work in progress, though, but that’s OK … I’m enjoying the challenge!
Thank you for pinning, too!
Oana @AdoreFoods says
05 Jul 15 at 1:16 pmI cannot wait to make this salad asap…as in tomorrow! I am dying to see how it tastes. I love all ingredients, individually so I am more than sure it will be a keeper. Hope the heatwave stays around for a couple more days 🙂
Helen says
05 Jul 15 at 10:23 pmHello, Oana! Thanks so much for your enthusiasm … I’m thrilled that you’re going to try this and hope you like it! Do come back and let me know what you thought 🙂
Joanne says
05 Jul 15 at 1:27 pmI am on a salad kick lately and I love that this has so many flavor elements! Definitely in the “fun salad” category.
Helen says
05 Jul 15 at 10:22 pmThank you, Joanne! Really happy you like it! (Hope you enjoyed Italy!) 🙂
[email protected] says
05 Jul 15 at 10:43 pmI never thought of this flavour combo…but I totally trust your taste so I’m going to try it (when blueberries are not $10 a punnet!) I LOVE the sound of this dressing!
And PS I am a bit of both of you. I can sloth around the house all day, but sometimes I have to get out or I’ll go crazy!! Nice weather and pub will always get me out though 🙂
Helen says
07 Jul 15 at 5:49 pmOoh, yes, I remember those ridiculously-priced fruit you have over there, especially out of season! Hope you do give this a go though some time – it is indeed a little strange, but oh so good!
The Hungry Mum says
06 Jul 15 at 12:37 amwhat an interesting salad combo! I bought a kilo of avos yesterday so may try this!
Helen says
07 Jul 15 at 5:49 pmOh, do try it! Pop back and let me know what you thought if you do! 🙂
Julie | Small Green Kitchen says
06 Jul 15 at 1:45 amI can relate to both you and your husband. I like to go out but sometimes I don’t want to do anything but stay at home.
By the way, beautiful salad!
Helen says
07 Jul 15 at 5:48 pmThank you so much, Julie! 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
06 Jul 15 at 9:50 pmWhat a gorgeous salad, Helen! I love the blueberry and bacon combination! And anything with avocados is a winner in my book. Love this!
Helen says
07 Jul 15 at 5:48 pmThank you so much, Gayle! I love avocados too and take any excuse to add it to my meals! 🙂
Zainab says
07 Jul 15 at 1:33 amThis is really the perfect ht summer night dinner!! It’s funny how you guys go through cycles of heat and chills while we are just HOT.
Helen says
07 Jul 15 at 5:47 pmOooh, you’re making me jealous, Zainab!! I want the ‘just hot’! 🙂
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
07 Jul 15 at 3:33 amYour English heat wave sounds pretty much exactly the same as our Canadian heat waves 😉 I’ll take whatever heat I can get, ha! I love love love this salad, Helen, especially that dressing, it all looks to die for!
Helen says
07 Jul 15 at 5:47 pmYes, me too I’ll take what I can get! Unfortunately now the heat has left us again … come back, come back!
Anyway, thanks for the compliments on the salad! 🙂
Thao @ In Good Flavor says
07 Jul 15 at 3:40 amThis salad is so pretty and the blueberry dressing sound delicious! I would be perfectly content with this salad and Italian bread for supper too!
Helen says
07 Jul 15 at 5:46 pmHello Thao! Thank you so much – this does indeed make a great summer dinner. Just add a bit of fresh bread and you’re good to go!
Marissa @ OMG FOOD says
07 Jul 15 at 4:36 amGorgeous looking salad!
Helen says
07 Jul 15 at 5:45 pmThank you, Marissa!
Bam's Kitchen says
07 Jul 15 at 5:47 amBrilliant salad combo, Helen. I really love that whole salty and delicately sweet combo of fruit with greens and of course the bacon. I love your food composition and your plates just perfectly beautiful. Pinned!
Helen says
07 Jul 15 at 5:45 pmHello, Bam! Thank you so much for all the lovely compliments … and of course for the pin – really appreciated!
Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness says
07 Jul 15 at 12:10 pmI rarely have a going out/going in dilemma with my boyfriend. It seems like we are always too busy to go out 🙁
This salad sounds amazing! I am loving this flavor combo!
Helen says
07 Jul 15 at 5:44 pmHello, Cathleen! Oh no! You have to change that, girl!
Really happy you like the salad!
A Spoonful of Spain says
07 Jul 15 at 5:09 pmThis looks like just the thing for a heat wave! Fresh, tasty and colourful!
Helen says
07 Jul 15 at 5:43 pmHello! Thanks so much for passing by! And glad you like the salad 🙂
Kristen @ The Endless Meal says
07 Jul 15 at 5:24 pmThis looks like the perfect summer salad …. especially the blueberry dressing. Yum!
Helen says
07 Jul 15 at 5:43 pmThank you, Kristen! It’s the blueberry dressing that clinches it for me!
Joanne says
09 Jul 15 at 12:47 pmOh my gosh, the.boy and I have exactly the same disagreement that you guys do!! I always want to go out and he would be happy to just stay in all weekend long. Crazy. So glad you guys got a beautiful day out before the heat wave. Love this salad for an easy refreshing summer meal.
Helen says
09 Jul 15 at 3:02 pmHa! Glad it’s not just me! I suppose as food bloggers we should want to stay in all the time and … cook! But … well, sometimes is OK but mostly I want to be OUT, especially in the summer! 🙂
Debra @ Worth Cooking says
10 Jul 15 at 8:50 pmThis looks delicious. My son is obsessed with blueberries and whenever we have them want to add them to anything we make. He usually braver in the savory blueberry dishes then I am!
Helen says
11 Jul 15 at 8:07 pmThank you, Debra! I must admit this was one of the first times I’d added blueberries to a savoury dish I think, but it won’t be the last. This was really delicious and I hope you make it for your son some time!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
20 Jul 15 at 2:18 amHow divine does this salad sound! And even as we’re in the midst of Winter I can look at this salad and say that I dearly would love it even though it is cold 😀
Helen says
22 Jul 15 at 10:33 pmI feel very honoured that you would make my salad even when it’s cold!! 🙂