Chopped Salad With Apple Chipotle Vinaigrette

 I jazzed things up with an Apple Chipotle Dressing and some coconut bacon. Sweet, spicy, smoky, and oh so good. It gave my plain and otherwise boring salad a bit of a makeover.

CHOPPED SALAD WITH APPLE CHIPOTLE VINAIGRETTE [VEGAN]

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE SALAD:

• 1 bunch lettuce
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes

FOR THE APPLE CHIPOTLE DRESSING:

• 1 large apple (Galas or Pink Ladies would work great here)
• 1 chipotle in adobo, de-seeded
• 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup water (or as much as needed to thin)
• Salt and pepper

FOR THE COCONUT BACON:

• 3/4 cup dried coconut flakes, unsweetened
• 1 Tablespoon liquid aminos (or substitute soy sauce)
• 1 Tablespoon liquid smoke
• 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

PREPARATION

TO MAKE THE SALAD:

1. Take all the vegetables that you have and toss together in a large bowl. Set aside.

TO MAKE THE DRESSING:

1. In a large food processor, process the apple, chipotle, rosemary, and sugar. Blend until pureed, scraping down the sides as necessary.
2. With the processor running stream in the apple cider vinegar and olive oil. Check consistency.
3. Process in water as needed to thin the dressing down to your preference. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Pour into container and set aside.

TO MAKE THE COCONUT BACON:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a mixing bowl, mix together everything except for the coconut flakes. Once combined, add in the flakes and stir until all coated.
3. Place a piece of parchment on a baking sheet and pour on your flakes. Season with paprika and pepper.
4. Bake roughly 10-15 minutes, stirring every few minutes. These flakes burn quick so be careful.

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/salad-with-apple-chipotle-vinaigrette/