A dinner salad was in order... the humidity was starting to rise!
But since we're still in the agonizing period before fresh tomatoes make their return, I needed a salad completely different in character from the lettuces and tomato salads that are to come...
So I experimented.
I roasted a red pepper and skinned it, then cut it into thin strips.
I cut a small 1/2 chicken breast into chunks, and quickly sautéed it in a bit of EVOO and smoked paprika.
Next I took about 1C of frozen corn and "roasted" it in a non-stick skillet over pretty high heat in a tiny bit of EVOO with a generous sprinkling of smoked salt... watching it like a hawk and stirring constantly until it started to brown (O Brother, is this a delicious way to do corn!!!). I made some simple baguette croutons, seasoned only with pepper and my homemade smoked salt...
Are you beginning to detect a smoky, roasty pattern???
Once all of this had cooled, I mixed it with baby arugula.
I wanted a very different dressing... So I mixed a tiny bit each of mayo, EVOO, vinegar, sour cream, ketchup and smoked paprika...
BOINGGGGG!!!!!
Tart, sweet, smoky... and so flavorful that only a little was needed... Like smoked Thousand Island on steroids!
I think I can survive until the tomatoes arrive...