Basically this is a lean protein diet with beans, some vegetables and no fruit or white stuff. The best part, according to Manservant, is that he gets one free day a week to eat and drink anything. He says it is for resetting the thermostat. One problem, out of many, that I have with this diet, besides the fact that it is a diet-though it is supposed to be a lifestyle- is that it once I go off, it is hard to go back. Manservant loves it though, but I think he might be resetting the thermostat a little too often!
His latest gimmick that he actually won in a Jeopardy type contest in Las Vegas, is one of those new fitness bracelets. He felt it actually made him "fit in" on his trip to California. Whatever. The good news is that it tracks his steps and buzzes him when he is sitting to long. It even tracks his sleep which he is horrible at. Anyway, I now know how many steps it is to the "Watch for Coyotes" sign so if I do that 4 times a day I've got my 10,000 steps in. And if I mow the lawn, I get even more, plus I suppose brownie points.
This salad came about because I go so tired of watching Manservant open a can of beans and pour them over spinach and top them with a fried egg. I know it is good for him, but it just didn't seem appetizing to me. Oh and he tops all that with salsa. Well, this salad might not be quite on the diet, but it is pretty good, diet or not. Though I am naming this a breakfast salad, it would be good any time of day. Manservant loved it, but he did ask for one more egg on his, which was easily accomplished.
My bacon and egg breakfast salad consists of leafy green spinach which is big on this diet, and because Manservant hates kale, that's a good thing. I then load it up with grilled bacon (yes, on the grill, grilled bacon) which gives it a great extra smoky taste. Add buratta and a fried egg, some bright red tomatoes and pretty chive flowers, but those are totally optional. Seems like a lot of protein to me. I'm not sure the balsamic maple vinaigrette is diet worthy, but I can guarantee that it would make any salad a hit. It is awesome stuff. I happen to use this great maple balsamic vinegar that I buy at the EVOO store in downtown Littleton. I go through it so quickly that now I need more. And no, I'm not being paid to say this, but I just love their stuff. I'd love one of everything!
So whether you wear one of those bracelets or not, this salad will work in any diet. It keeps you full for a long while. And you could even eat it for breakfast!
Bacon and Egg Breakfast Salad with Balsamic Maple Vinaigrette
Serves 2
Time to make: About 20 minutes
Ingredients:
Maple Balsamic Dressing:
3 pressed or finely minced garlic cloves
½ t whole grain mustard
2 T maple balsamic vinegar or 2 T balsamic vinegar and 2 t maple syrup
2 grinds of black pepper
3 T olive oil
1 c chopped tomatoes
1 T finely chopped onion
1 t olive oil
1 grind black pepper
1 T chopped basil
1 pinch salt
4 slices thick bacon, grilled or cooked to your liking
½ c chive flowers (Totally optional!)
1 t olive oil
¼ t salt
2 fried eggs
6 c fresh washed spinach
1 buratta ball, split into two
Directions:
For dressing:
Combine 3 mashed garlic cloves, mustard, vinegar and pepper in a small measuring cup. Whisk well. Slowly whisk in 3 T olive oil until emulsified. Add salt to taste. Set aside.
Combine tomatoes with onions, olive oil, pepper, basil and salt. Set aside.
To grill bacon: I place bacon strips on a paper plate, set on a glass plate, and cover with another paper plate and render out the fat for 3 minutes in the microwave.Then take the strips of bacon and place them on a grill that has been preheated to high. After placing on grill turn grill to low. Cook the strips, watching carefully and turning every 45 seconds or so. This should take about 4 or 5 minutes, but I like my bacon crisp!
Toss the chive flowers with the oil and salt. Place them on a grill rack and cook them on low until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes.
Cook the fried eggs to your liking.
Place spinach in a bowl and toss with a few tablespoons of dressing or more if you want. Top with some tomatoes and buratta. Top the buratta with a fried egg. Garnish with bacon and chive flowers. Drizzle with more dressing if needed. Serve with toast if desired!
More to Try:
Red Chile and a Breakfast Sandwich
Cajun Potatoes
Teriyaki Shrimp
Tuscan Beans and Potatoes
Chocolate Lava Cake
Please Pin and Share:
CQUEK says
Please come make me one.
Anna and Liz Recipes says
What a great idea and it sounds so delicious !! I now know what I am making for breakfast tomorrow morning, thanks Abbe!
Guru Uru says
If this is what dieting involves, then I am SO in, what a great change to make! Kind of, but the free day is awesome 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
There is no doubt this creative tasty salad beats what he was eating for breakfast, which frankly sounds awful. I admire his intention however.
dentistvschef says
Definitely delicious and worth to try bacon and egg recipe!!
i guess i'm gonna use my homemade lamb bacon for it,
pretty damn beautifully captured too....
Kevin@Superfood Chocolate says
Excellent recipe for the breakfast. I really appreciate it. Thanks to share this recipe for our breakfast.
Cathleen says
I have never tried going on a diet...at one point I was forcing myself to eat as much as I could because I was so ridiculously skinny. But I am totally down for this salad. I mean, how can you go wrong with bacon?
NancyC says
This breakfast salad looks so good–what a great idea!
Karen Harris says
Even I could probably stick with this diet as long as I could have a mimosa too. Hey, it's a breakfast drink! This looks delicious and the grill bacon totally won me over.
Abbe Odenwalder says
No fruit! We'd have to do bloody's! Grilled bacon is very, very good!
Sippity Sup says
I'm on the Two Bacon and Egg Breakfast Salads a Day Diet. I swear it's going to be all the rage. GREG
Abbe Odenwalder says
You are a man Greg! Men get to eat more. It is so not fair. I hope you are right. It is rage worthy!
chefmimiblog.com says
That is one great salad! I would have serious problems with that diet...
Abbe Odenwalder says
I hear ya, Mimi!
Ansh says
I would also go on a diet if that's for breakfast. But then I will simply eat more of it and that would be the end of the portion control. Sigh! I can't do diets either.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Well, this diet isn't about portion control. Only what foods you put in your mouth. I can do diets. It has been proven. But I need a watch dog!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Haha Abbe! That salad of beans on spinach with an egg and salsa sounds like our house. You will be seeing more meatless meals at our house these days. My husband is also changing his "diet" but I am still going to post something with butter and sugar once a week! We really are trying to eat more plant based foods - less meat overall - but I'm doing the once a week whatever I want too! Good luck - is he going to Sweden to buy you a new car? I call my husband - Traveling Husband - so I can relate to such adventures 🙂
Abbe Odenwalder says
Damn, we could use a new car, too! Used to have Volvos for years. Nope. That's where his company is based. Butter and sugar. Trouble!
Bam's Kitchen says
Hats off for your guy for making a change for the better. This salad looks so good it might even serve as a setting the themostat day for me. Have a super day.
Abbe Odenwalder says
It is a good thing Bam and he is doing good. I'm the one that needs to catch up, but I believe I just walked 7000 steps, thanks to the dog!
Angie Schneider says
This is more than just a breakfast. You can actually enjoy it any time of the day and it looks mouthwatering.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Very true Angie and thank you!
Juliana says
Yes, why not salad for breakfast...I like all the ingredients in this salad, it sure will give me lots of energy to start a day.
Hope you are enjoying your week Abbe 😀
Abbe Odenwalder says
It definitely works, Juliana!
Sharon D says
Points! I keep misreading that part where you wrote that if you mow the lawn, you'd get brownie cookies. I mean points ...lol..made me excited! I'd feel like a brownie cookie was in order after all that work.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Brownie points is an expression meaning you i something above and beyond. However I do love your version, Sharon!
Cheri Savory Spoon says
What a wonderful salad Abbe, so nice of you to make this for your husband. I probably would find it hard to go back after a day off the diet as well.
Abbe Odenwalder says
It is very hard! I told him resetting the thermostat does not work for me. But he plies me with alcohol!
Holly @ abakershouse.com says
Looks like this salad could be breakfast, lunch or dinner and has many variations just waiting to happen. I like the sound of any diet that includes bacon AND a day off to eat anything you'd like but the thought of giving up sweets the rest of the week might be too much for me to handle.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Holly, I haven't met you yet, but my guess is that you are skinny! Thanks for commenting!
Liz Berg says
This salad would be terrific for breakfast, lunch OR dinner! And it sounds a heck of a lot better than your hubby's salad. Bill's idea of dieting is no Oreos but having a glass of Nestle's Quik before bed. I'm not so sure about his rationalization.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Well, I have to admit to loving Nestles Quik, too! Oreos are the danger zone to me! Thanks, Liz!