Breakfast salad

I know, breakfast for many people means loading up. And while this breakfast salad has bacon and egg in it, they're balanced out with lots of veggies. A delicious, easy mix of flavors perfect any time. 

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I first got in to brunch when I lived in New York years ago and while we've gone in and out on how often we have it, it's still something we both enjoy. Of course in years gone by, I'd be more likely sipping on a cocktail like the recent strawberry bellini I shared. These days I am more likely just on coffee, but we do often try some more indulgent main dishes.

One of the places we often go does the most amazing brunch mains like shrimp popovers and clam and bacon sandwiches. Delicious, but indulgent. I do like the fact they come with some salad, and they do in fact have a breakfast salad on the menu. It got me thinking about making my own, and so glad I did.

Especially with the trend of breakfast for dinner and late brunch at lunchtime, it seems only fair breakfast food can be just about anything. The grilled breakfast flatbread I made last year was a perfect example of mixing up meals, and delicious it was too.

So, what should go in a breakfast salad? Quite honestly, I think you could add anything, but for me egg and bacon seemed kind of essential. Then after that, I've kept things pretty simple, all pulled together with a French vinaigrette.

Ways to change up your breakfast salad

As I say, I have kept things pretty simple here but ways you can change it up include:

• change the eggs - try some boiled eggs or poached egg on top instead;
• add avocado and beans - you could even swap the vinaigrette for salsa/enchilada sauce (and some tasty Cabot cheese!) for a Southwest flair;
• mix in some antipasti for a Mediterranean flair (like the tasty artichokes and sun dried tomatoes from Cento);
• add croutons for some extra crunch and make a little heartier;
• mix in some sweet potato or other leftover roasted vegetables - a great way to use leftovers, and makes it more filling too;
• add grains or lentils for a heartier meal - quinoa or French lentils would go well.

Bacon and egg are a natural pair, but it turns out they work perfectly as part of a salad as well. There are lots of ways you can customize this breakfast salad to your taste, so give it a try and get experimenting.

Try these other less typical breakfast ideas:

• Vegetarian breakfast burrito
• Steak and egg breakfast skillet
• Shakshuka hummus
• Plus get more breakfast and brunch recipes in the archives.

See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store. 

Take a look at what the #BrunchWeek Bloggers are creating today!

BrunchWeek Beverages:
Voodoo Bloody Mary from Girl Carnivore

BrunchWeek Appetizers:
Antipasto Platter from A Day in the Life on the Farm
Brunch Gazpacho Shooters with Cheesy Everything Toast Dippers from The Crumby Kitchen
How to Create an Antipasto Platter from Love and Confections
Kale Salad with Apples, Carrots, Cheese and Capers from Shockingly Delicious
Spring Cobb Salad from The Barbee Housewife

BrunchWeek Egg Dishes:
Asparagus, Mushroom and Cheese Egg Cups from The Bitter Side of Sweet
Asparagus, Sausage, and Onion Quiche from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
Breakfast Stuffed Avocados from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
Cheesy Ham and Asparagus Frittata from Cooking with Carlee
Ham & Cheese Hashbrown Frittata from It Bakes Me Happy

BrunchWeek Breads, Grains, and Pastries:
Banana Blueberry Cinnamon Mini Muffins from Sweet Beginnings
Cheddar Sun-Dried Tomato Biscuits from Tara's Multicultural Table
Coconut Doughnuts from Mildly Meandering
Grand Marnier French Toast from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Sausage, Egg & Cheese Kolaches from The Spiffy Cookie
Shortcut Blueberry Cheesecake Cinnamon Rolls from Big Bear's Wife

BrunchWeek Main Dishes:
Salmon Quiche from My Catholic Kitchen
Keto Steak and Eggs over Asparagus from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Chicken Sandwiches from Books n' Cooks

BrunchWeek Fruits, Vegetables and Sides:
Asparagus and Goat Cheese Tart from Karen's Kitchen Stories
Breakfast Salad from Caroline's Cooking (you're here!)
Green Apple Smoothie from The PinterTest Kitchen
Asparagus-Leek Velouté from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Roasted Asparagus & Carrots from Amy's Cooking Adventures
Sweet Potato Hash with Pancetta, Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach from The Redhead Baker

BrunchWeek Desserts:
Hazelnut Pudding Cake from Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
Pull Apart Cinnamon Coffeecake with Chocolate Glaze from Family Around the Table
Pumpkin Snack Cake from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
Raspberry Lime Parfaits from Eat Move Make

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