Mini keto cobb salad in a bacon cup. This fun twist on a California classic is full of great flavor and makes a perfect low carb appetizer. This post is sponsored by California Avocados.
Oh, hello there California Avocados. I’ve been waiting for you. I’ve been waiting…what is it now…about 7 long months. Seven long tortuous months that I’ve had to live without you. It’s cruel, you know, to treat me so. To come into my life and make me fall in love with you and then to just slowly disappear and leave to me on my own. Suffering. Wishing, wishing, wishing there was another avocado as perfect as you. Looking longingly at all the avocados in the markets and grocery stores, but knowing in my heart of hearts that they just won’t compare. That if I succumb, if I try to bring another avocado home, that I will inevitably be disappointed.
I do sometimes succumb. And I am inevitably disappointed. As I cut into that bumpy green-black alligator skin, my breath is bated, and I’m hoping to see creamy bright green flesh, unmarred by brown spots. Alas, brown mealy flesh abounds and I shake my head, sigh in frustration, and realize it’s my own fault. I should have known better. I should have known I just had to wait for you to come back into my life, that the start of spring would see you wander back into the grocery stores and back into my life. You, avocado perfection, are worth the wait.
Think I am kidding? I am not. While I may be waxing a bit poetic on the perfection of California Avocados, they really are worth the wait. And they are pretty perfect. And I AM continually frustrated by other avocados if I buy them at other times of the year. Whereas when those CA Avocados come into season in late March, it’s like the clouds part and the sun shines and I am in avocado heaven.
So to celebrate the start of California Avocado season with a fun twist on an iconic California recipe. Cobb Salad is always a great keto meal, and highlights the wonderful flavor of avocados perfectly. But have you ever had a mini Cobb Salad inside a bacon cup? These are fun and delicious and perfect as a party appetizer. Or eat three of them and call it dinner! You can’t fit that much inside each little bacon cup so use just a little bit of everything to give that traditional Cobb Salad flavor. Make as few or as many as you’d like. Just don’t forget the California Avocado. It’s the star of the show.
Cobb Salad Bacon Cups
Ingredients
- 12 slices thin cut bacon
- 1 cup finely chopped romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup chopped cooked chicken
- 1/2 California Avocado chopped
- 1 hardboiled egg thinly slices
- 1/4 cup chopped tomato
- 2 tbsp crumbled bleu cheese optional
- Dressing of choice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425F. Turn a standard size muffin tin upside down and cover with foil, shaping tightly against the cups.
- Cut 6 of the bacon slices in half. Cover the each muffin cup with two halves of bacon in an X pattern over the bottom. Wind one full-length piece of bacon around the sides each cup so that and secure with a toothpick.
- Bake the bacon cups until done to your liking. I found this to be about 35 minutes for crispy bacon. Remove and let cool for 20 minutes, then remove the toothpicks and take the cups off the foil, turning right side up.
- Divide the lettuce, chicken, avocado, egg, tomato, and bleu cheese among the cups.
- Top with your favorite dressing and serve. Or don't dress at all, they are tasty without it!
Many thanks to California Avocados for sponsoring this recipe.
Annie says
Hi Carolyn, I believe you’re about to be my new best friend! Allow me to first admit that I’m one of those ungrateful, irresponsible people who rarely comments on recipes or my Amazon purchases (sssh, I feel badly enough already since I won’t even purchase a toothpick from my 1st best friend without getting the low down from the real people (going by what the sellers advertise is a fools errand)! Living in Northern Maine it could be said that the shopping choices that are available are rather limited (although our local “restaurant” located in our local gas station serves some darn fine meals, although they’ve never met a carb they didn’t love; heck, it’s potato country up here! See what I mean? I haven’t even gotten to the main reason I’m commenting to you and I’ve already written a short novel! Imagine if I did write a review for each of my Amazon purchases, I’d never have time to utilize them. Suffice it to say, I’ve never returned one single item to them (it does help to read the info provided as to size, measurements, etc). Now that I’ve sufficiently smoozed (trurhfully) to one of your sponsors (that’s the correct word for them, right?), let me get to my reason to commenting. Years ago I went on a low carb eating program (notice I didn’t say the bad diet word?), together my husband and I did very well. Unfortunately, as with so many things in life, changes happen with so many things. So, a few years and several pounds later, we’re back. Wow, how things have changed! Stores have all kinds of low carb items (o.k. by stores I ‘m alluding to Amazon) and, best of all, there are so many sites that offer a multitude of delicious well thought out recipes. Believe me, I’ve looked at so many that my head has been spinning for days. Then I saw it – alldayIdreamaboutfood.com! It drew me in because I, like so many others, dream about food ALL DAY! I actually thought I was in a dream when I saw it! To say your site is not a dream, but very real is an understatement! Let me try to wrap things up here by saying you have created the best site with low carb recipes that I have come across – really! It’s well put together, thoughtfully done and obviously contains a kickass (can I say that?) assortment of recipes! I’m running out of steam; so, just please allow me to convey a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to you (and your well fed family) for all the hard work you put forth to give the rest of us such a gift! Now I think I’ll tap on one of your links to Amazon and spend a whole bunch of money! I’ll be back! (in my mind that sounded just like Arnold S. saying it!)
Carolyn says
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoy the blog.
Laura Bocelli says
Hi there Carolyn,
As Karen said, indeed they look marvelous. I’ll make sure to cook it and let you know about the results. (I hope it will be delicious as on the pics)
Cheers,
Luara
Karen says
DANG – these are so cute. And awesome looking. I totally get you on the avocado thing… living in Cali, I get them all year (sorry, not sorry! haha) but there is something EXTRA delicious about the spring time avos.