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Introducing a delectable salad inspired by the renowned Oliver’s restaurant in Minnesota. This salad features tender salmon, savory peppers and garlic confit, creamy avocado chunks, fire-roasted corn, crispy bacon bits, and a generous drizzle of homemade smoky ranch dressing.
Whether you refer to it as a salad, a bowl, or a complete main course served on a bed of lettuce, this dish is sure to capture your heart.
Imagine delicate flaky salmon, luscious peppers and garlic confit, luxurious avocado, roasted corn, bacon, and a flavorful homemade ranch dressing. Are you tempted to whip this up already?
Oliver’s, a local gem in POY’s area, offers this delightful creation on their menu. But for those days when a visit to Oliver’s isn’t feasible, recreating this masterpiece at home is a must for all salad enthusiasts.
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Ingredients For This Salad
Ever tried pepper confit? This salad boasts a variety of delicious components, but the pepper confit steals the show. Simply simmer sweet pepper rings and garlic slices in olive oil until soft, buttery, and caramelized. Store this mixture in the fridge and use it to elevate any dish, especially this salad.
Let’s also prepare the other elements, shall we?
For the smoked ranch:
- mayo
- full fat Greek yogurt or sour cream
- milk or buttermilk
- white vinegar or lemon juice
- freeze-dried dill and chives
- smoked paprika
- onion powder & garlic powder
- salt & pepper
For the pepper confit:
- olive oil
- mini sweet peppers
- garlic
- red wine vinegar
- salt
For our favorite salad build:
- spinach or salad greens
- salmon (prepare according to your preference)
- avocado
- bacon
- fire-roasted corn
- sunflower seeds
Feel free to customize the salad with your preferred ingredients, but we recommend using everything for the ultimate flavor experience. Go big or go home!
Let’s Make The Oliver’s Salad
Here’s how you can elevate your salad game with this epic creation:
- Smoked Ranch: Combine all ingredients in a jar, shake well, and adjust to your liking. Make it unique!
- Pepper Confit: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the peppers until brown and very soft, adding garlic towards the end for a golden finish.
- Bacon & Salmon: Bake both at 400 degrees – start with bacon and add the salmon for the last 8-10 minutes.
- Salad: Assemble all components in generous portions, then drizzle with the smoked ranch dressing.
Remember, when it comes to this salad, go big or go home.
What Makes This Salad So Good
This salad is a true standout, offering a medley of flavors that simply captivate your taste buds. It’s the perfect balance of satisfaction and taste.
Prepare all the elements in advance and have them ready to assemble this salad whenever you crave it. While we recommend cooking the salmon just before serving, the other components – the ranch, bacon, and confit – will beckon you from your fridge, ready to be enjoyed.
This salad is versatile, allowing you to customize it to suit your preferences. It pairs well with grilled chicken or even shrimp. You can also omit the protein and double up on the pepper confit and avocado for a delightful variation.
Whichever way you choose to enjoy this salad, make sure to embrace the extravagance it deserves.
Remember, go big or go home.
The Oliver’s Salad: Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Fresh dill and chives would work wonderfully in this recipe.
Yes! All components of the salad can be prepared in advance and stored separately in the refrigerator. We recommend cooking the salmon right before serving for optimal freshness.
For the fire-roasted corn, we suggest using frozen fire-roasted corn (thawed / warmed) for convenience and flavor.