Shrimp Salad w/ Fava Beans, Corn, Avocado, Heirloom Tomatoes and Smoked Bacon

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This is what i feel like eating on hot summer days. It would make the perfect picnic salad even though the simple idea of a picnic has become a distant, unrealistic dream for me. My work schedule won’t allow anything remotely relaxing until at least… december 2012! [insert sympathetic moans here] Anyone wants to start a rescue mission to save zenchef from the rich?… Please!? Just wear camouflage that matches the well-groomed Hampton lawn (that would be very green) or you’ll be spotted right away. If that happens, the miniature pinscher will be unleashed and you’ll be DEAD.

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There’s a Peruvian woman who helps me at work who claims this is the best salad she’s ever eaten. It figures – the first time i made this salad i used a leftover shrimp ceviche she taught me how to make. I just added a few colorful vegetables with interesting textures and got something refreshing and light and beautiful to look at. I could not resist throwing a few bits of double-smoked bacon in there, like i didn’t care, because.. well, i guess i’m still struggling with baconhypnosis. No, no.. don’t make fun. It’s a rare psychotic disease that turns every thoughts into ham. Better ham than jam, that’s what i say. As part of my rehabilitation class I have to admit the corn was tossed in the leftover bacon fat… before i licked the pan. That’s when i noticed it was raining lardons outside, i picked up my hamhock to call a friend but he was in bed with the swine flu… the story goes on and on.

I used this shrimp salad as a garnish for a chilled corn soup i made for a dinner party last night, that and a drizzle of basil oil. It received a lot of praise. Did i just spent more time talking about pork products and miniature pinschers than about this light and summery shrimp salad again? I probably did, and i don’t feel no shame at all.

  • Shrimp Salad w/ Fava Beans, Corn, Avocado, Heirloom Tomatoes and Smoked Bacon

    • Serves 4
  • shrimp-salad-31

    • For the salad:
    • 12 jumbo shrimp, cooked and diced
    • 12 ounces double-smoked bacon, cut into lardons
    • 1 1/2 cup fresh corn, cooked
    • 1 1/2 cup fava beans, blanched and peeled
    • 1 cup cherry heirloom tomatoes, cut in half
    • 2 ripe avocados, diced
    • 2 tablespoons basil, chopped
    • 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
    • 1 teaspoon chopped thyme
    • 1/4 cup scallions, chopped
    • salt and black pepper to taste
    • For the vinaigrette:
    • 1/2 clove garlic, chopped finely
    • 3 tablespoons lime juice
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 1/3 cup XV olive oil

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  • Whisk the garlic, the lime juice, salt and pepper together and add the olive oil slowly. Reserve.
  • In a pan over medium-high heat, toss the lardon and cook until crisp, about 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
  • Toss all the ingredients of the salad together with the vinaigrette. Check seasoning. Top the salad with the lardons. Serve.
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  • http://www.alwaysorderdessert.com Alejandra

    Oh I will absolutely be making this tomorrow! It looks perfect.

  • http://www.justgetfloury.com Ginny

    Yummy! Looks so refreshing! :)

  • http://colloquialcookin.canalblog.com Colloquial Cook

    Why get an Iphone when you can get a hamhock. You can dial the numbers on the scored fat and it also moisturises your skin as you call. A hamhock wins every time against an Iphone.

  • http://cakeonthebrain.blogspot.com cakebrain

    Pork products make salads way better in my opinion. This is my kind of salad…sans iceberg lettuce and heavy on the good stuff!

  • Jro

    looks amazing, always an inspiration Zen chef!

  • http://culinarytypes.blogspot.com T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types

    I know people with bacon psychosis. It’s completely without a cure. Too bad, huh?

  • http://ciaochowlinda.blogspot.com Ciaochowlinda

    that looks wickedly delicious.

  • http://staceysnacksonline.com Stacey Snacks

    Can I put jam on this salad?
    I have everything in the house for this, and will make it for Henri this week! w/ a nice chianti, of course.
    Happy summer…the salad is very Hamptonesque….fresh and pretty!

  • http://vanillakitchen.blogspot.com dawn

    so if I come dressed as a gin & tonic I can save you and fit in? I’m not coming over if Harvey Weinstein is there though. Noooo. I yelled at him on MV one summer and didn’t realize it was him, but he liked me anyway. LOL

  • http://zested.wordpress.com liz

    This looks amazing – love the shrimp-bacon-avocado trifecta.

  • http://www.alittlebitofchristo.blogspot.com doggybloggy

    trust me once this bacon condition takes root – no amount of pork therapy is going to help – sorry!

  • http://www.pigpigscorner.com pigpigscorner

    Wonderful flavours and textures! Amazing!

  • Lisa

    Great site and this looks divine. Keep hamming it up.

  • http://manggy.blogspot.com Manggy

    If I were ever fortunate enough to be spotted ON a nice Hampton lawn, I’ll be sure to sneak you out :) Then again, I’d probably be too distracted having you cook for me– mission aborted!

  • http://www.bouchonfor2.com/ Mel

    Simple and yum! I love the baby heirloom tomatoes. They’re always so spectacularly sweet… like you!

  • http://hartleyconfections.com Jessica Hartley

    Stephane, your food is just as beautiful as I imagined! I can’t wait to make this wonderful summer dish. It was great meeting you at last night’s dinner and looking forward to keeping in touch!

  • http://www.zippy-health.com/the-avocado-way-to-great-looking-locks/ Avocado nutrition

    Avocado is very healthy and has many health benefits. It is rich in nutrients and is excellent as conditioner and makes one’s locks lustrous and smooth, it helps to get rid of the frizz from hair, also helps preventing hair loss and its nutrients helps for good hair growth.

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    Shrimp Salad w/ Fava Beans, Corn, Avocado, Heirloom Tomatoes and Smoked Bacon!! Delicious!!

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    Shrimp Salad w/ Fava Beans, Corn, Avocado, Heirloom Tomatoes and Smoked Bacon.

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    Great message.So true.

  • Victoria Raw

    Ooh that looks lovely. I love shrimp salad.

  • Kato705

    GREAT recipe – beautiful on the plate and the palate!