Simple Measure

February isn’t a salad-friendly month. We’ve been fighting sub-zero weather for over two weeks here in Chicago. Trips outside aren’t the decadent strolls of spring, but quick darts from one warm shelter to another.

And with the frigid temperatures comes a steady march of uninspired soups and tired dinners of refried beans. At least in my house, anyway. Anything quick, canned, and capable of being plopped on a plate in under 15 minutes has become the unsettling norm around here.

Last week I realized I was deep in a food RUT. This discovery was like emerging from some long, dark dream where an army of bowls brimming with instant couscous and canned peas were chasing me down.

Yep, everything I’d been eating this past month had all the life cooked right out of it.

Time to bring a little store-bought green freshness into the picture… even if the pickin’s are mighty slim in the produce department this time of year. I settled on salad, but I’m no fool. It’s still icy-cold-frozen-toes-runny-nose winter. No lacy mesclun greens or shaved fennel was going to do the job here. Cold weather salad eating calls for something brawnier.

And what better way to bulk up your greens then a little soy-based “bacon” product?

I make this “BLT” salad year-round, but it really gets to shine in the colder months. Cool, crunchy romaine and juicy pear elbow for room on your fork next to warm tempeh bacon, red onion and creamy goat cheese. Grape tomatoes add a sunny, tart burst of flavor to every bite. The mix of a few choice cooked ingredients and an invigorating line up of raw veggies and fruit make this salad a standout, refreshing meal.

And lucky for whoever handles the prep work, it’s a cinch to throw together. With minimal chopping, zero grating and negligible time at the stove, you can be filling up on this delicious winter salad in less than 20 minutes. Pair it with a bowl of silky tomato soup and you’re all warmed up for the perfect February evening entertainment: a comfy couch, a warm blanket and a fresh Netflix.

You can use regular bacon in this recipe if you prefer it. But if you’re looking for a veggie option, I’ve never met a bacon imposter I’ve liked as much as Lightlife’s “Fakin’ Bacon”.

Unlike other (typically frozen) brands, these smokey strips don’t try to fool you with artificial dyes and flavors. Made from organic tempeh, you won’t find any mysterious ingredients like “soy protein isolate”. And thankfully there is no unnatural attempt to recreate bacon’s fat-marbled good looks, either.

Nope, it’s just marinated tempeh that cooks up real good in a non-stick skillet with a handful of sliced red onions.

The rest of the ingredients can all be found in decent shape this time of year, even in the most winter-devastated produce aisles.

Sure, this salad isn’t bringing spring one step closer. But it’ll give you a much needed sneak preview.

BLT Salad
I recommend going for a good goat cheese here, none of that pre-crumbled, pre-packaged stuff. Sure, you’ll have to do a little extra crumbling work yourself, but it’s worth it for the richer taste.

Serves 4

1 pkg. Lightlife “Fakin’ Bacon”

6oz fresh goat cheese, crumbled

2 hearts of romaine lettuce, chopped

1/2 medium red onion, sliced thin

1 ripe pear, chopped

1 pkg. grape tomatoes, halved

Vegetable oil to lightly coat skillet

Balsamic or red wine vinegar

Freshly ground black pepper

OK, I told you this is easy to make, and it is. Once you’ve got the veggies and pears chopped up and set aside in a salad bowl, you’re almost done.

Lightly coat a non-stick skillet with vegetable oil. Lay the tempeh strips in the pan and cook over medium high heat for a few minutes. Turn over and toss in the red onions. continue cooking until onions are soft and tempeh is browned the way you like it.

Remove the tempeh from the skillet and slice into roughly 2 inch strips. Add the tempeh and onions to the salad mix and give it a good toss. Serve the goat cheese in a separate bowl so each person can add as much or as little as they like. Top with black pepper and the vinegar or dressing of your choice.