Bleu Cheese Pecan Chopped Salad Outback Steakhouse Copycat Recipes

Steps:

• Bleu Cheese Vinaigrette: Combine all ingredients except vinegar and lemon juice in a small pan over medium heat. Heat until mixture begins to bubble, remove from heat. Cool mixture. Combine cooled mixture with rice vinegar and lemon juice in a blender. Blend on high speed for 1 minute, cover and chill. Cinnamon Pecans: Combine sugar, water, butter, cinnamon and salt in a small pan over medium heat. When mixture first reaches a boil, add pecans. Stir constantly until liquid evaporates and sugar begins to crystallize on the nuts. Don't allow the nuts to smoke or burn. Pour sugar crystallized pecans out onto a plate to cool. Assemble The Salad: Combine lettuce, green onion, red cabbage, shredded carrot, pecans and pasta in a large bowl. Toss with 3/4 cup of the dressing. Top with 2 tablespoons crumbled bleu cheese on each serving.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Slice each pecan half into three lengthwise pieces. Mix together the cinnamon and brown sugar. Toss pecans with melted butter, then with the cinnamon/sugar mixture, tossing well to ensure a thorough coating. Put the nuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 5 to 8 minutes, until sugar is caramelized. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, slide the parchment together with the nuts off the sheet to cool, and set aside.
• Whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients.
• Chop the lettuces into smallish bite-sized pieces; use a salad spinner to wash and dry them. Slice the green onion.
• Break the angel hair into small, 2 inch pieces. Cook until al dente. Heat oil in a skillet, and fry drained pasta until crispy. Drain on paper towel and cool.
• Place the chopped lettuce in a large serving bowl (one large enough to toss the salad in). Add the vinaigrette and toss thoroughly to coat. Sprinkle with the chopped onion. Break the cooled pecan slices apart and sprinkle them over the salad.

Steps:

• Place nuts in food processor and process until finely chopped; it takes about 10 seconds.
• Add both cheeses.
• Process until very smooth; again, it should only take about 10 seconds.
• Pack into a bowl and refrigerate until serving; this is best if allowed to chill for a few hours.
• A dribble of brandy or port added when you add the cheeses doesn't hurt.

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together by hand in a small bowl until smooth.
• Cover and chill for 30 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• Place the greens on salad plates.
• Add the apple slices, then sprinkle pecans and cheese over each.
• Whisk the remaining ingredients together and sprinkle over salads.

Steps:

• Chop lettuce in 1/2-inch squares.
• Mix lettuce with the carrot, cabbage, pecans and vinegar.
• Add the angel hair pasta, blue cheese and chives.
• Serve in a chilled bowl.
• Serving Suggestion: Top with sliced grilled chicken breast.