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Sunday, November 21, 2010

Egg Salad w/ Gorgonzola & Bacon

You may or may not have noticed that Giada and I haven't stepped into the kitchen together lately.  I think it's just because she doesn't inspire me.  Sure, I've marked some recipes to-try throughout a couple of her books that I have checked out from the library, but... I don't know.  I'm just not feeling it.  Now don't get mad at me, Giada devotees.  You go ahead and be devoted, I'm not knockin' ya.  I'm just saying that we keep butting heads in the kitchen.  I usually attempt new things or recipes from somebody because they are beckoning me...or they sound completely irresistible...or at least like I'd get some pleasure out at least one meal.  I just don't get that feeling from her stuff.  I did decide to spend a bit of time with her this week, though.  Something simple.  One of the things I had marked that sounded tasty enough.  I love gorgonzola.  And bacon.  And a good hard-boiled egg.  And I think if I had just stuck to these and left out that questionable lemon zest, the world from my eyes may have been okay.  But I told myself I was gonna let Giada have her way this week.  I was gonna go ahead and add that zest to the egg salad.  Blyyyeeccchhh!  Yucka.  Serious yucka.  Sure, I ate a whole sammich.  I hate wasting food.  I even packed the rest into a container and stuck it in the fridge.  But I didn't tell Mexi about it.  Oops.  He was rummaging through the fridge while I was out and found it.  He was pretty excited.  So, he toasted up a couple of sandwiches worth of bread...and piled on that egg salad.  When I returned home I saw two sandwiches, minus one big bite, in the trash bin.  Ha!  So, needless to say...fail.  Ah well.  I still have hope.  She's gonna surprise me one of these days.  Surely she will.
Egg Salad w/ Gorgonzola & Bacon
4 servings

12 slices bacon (or thin pancetta)
6 hard boiled eggs, peeled & coarsely chopped
4 oz. crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
grated zest of one lemon (Don't do it!!!)
1/3 c. mayonnaise
1/3 c. chopped fresh chives
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Cook bacon or pancetta until crispy. Drain on paper towels.

Combine eggs, gorgonzola, lemon zest!!!, mayonnaise, and chives in a medium bowl.  Season with salt and pepper and mix together gently.  Spread on your chosen bread I also added baby spinach and add bacon crumbles on top.  Enjoy???.
So, is it just me?  Has anybody else tried this and enjoyed it?  And can I just ask...what is up with Giada and lemon zest?  Why does she feel the need to add it to everything!?  I think to make this a good egg salad to me I would leave out the zest duh! and sub some minced shallots for the chives, add a bit of celery and maybe a wee splash of vinegar.

*This post is linked to:
Okay. I'm acknowledging OUT LOUD that our theme at IHCC is Fall Favorites this week...mine is more of a non-Fall Favorite...but at least I tried. Right?
IHCC SouperSundays cookbook sundays
Giada at Home: Family Recipes from Italy and California

Would you like to comment?

  1. Hey at least your trying...lemon zest with eggs...no no no maybe in a baked item, but with bacon..sorry your hubby didn't like it either, my hubby would have not even attempted the dish. I hope your next recipe is better...

    sweetlife

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  2. Well atleast it wasn't an expensive recipe to make...maybe lemon juice instead of zest would have been better.

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  3. Trying totally counts. And it's more than i can say I've done. Although I do have a Giada recipe for the potluck next week. And it's good. Really good.

    Lemon zest and gorgonzola? That's just weird.

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  4. Esto es una ensalada deliciosa. Que buena te ha salido.

    Saludos

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  5. what is her deal with the lemon zest? what a bummer...because i was thinking that this would be like a sophisticated devilled egg sandwich.

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  6. I'm not crazy about the blue cheese and egg. Delicate vs. bold. Seems like all you'd taste is the blue cheese. I like what Bo said, at least it wasn't an expensive "blech".

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  7. I've not tried this one. And I don't think I would (even if I hadn't read your review). The combo of eggs, lemon zest and gorgonzola seems...well... not right!

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  8. I am with you. Giada's recipes don't do a lot to inspire me either. I just feel like there is some essence missing from her recipes. I really have to search for something from her books that I want to make and that is definitely not like me.

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  9. I hesitate to say this, but I feel that about Pioneer Woman. Nothing against her, she just doesn't do it for me. Don't throw stones at me people!

    Thislooks delicious even though it wasn't. I'm sure I'dlove this minus the lemon zest. That does sound yucka. ha!

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  10. bummer! this actually looks killer good, bacon and gorgonzola are a few of my all time faves. i'm with you on giada. she's got a killer smile, but it doesn't do me a whole lot of good in the kitchen :)

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  11. Funny post. I adore your honesty. I think I could like this dish WITHOUT the lemon zest. :)

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  12. I can always count on you to tell it like it is, that's why I read your stuff!!! I would not make this, it would be a total waste of good blue cheese. Thanks.

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  13. I think we all have a famous chef that just doesn't do it for us.
    ~ingrid

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  14. I like the components...minus the lemon zest. Giada goes to town adding lemon on her dishes. I want to go through the tv screen and take the zester away from her! hehe. I do like her show, though. But, sometimes, it's important to leave the lemon alone...right? ;D

    Carmen

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  15. Bummer--I wouldn't have put lemon it in either--seems weird with the other flavors. Although she isn't in my top 10 favorites list, I have had good luck with Giada's recipes and not a lot of inappropriate lemon zest usage in the ones I've picked. I hope you find more you like.

    Thanks for sending this to SS and giving me 4 dishes to post this week. ;-)

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  16. At least you tried :-) The photo is gorgeous.

    I find Giada's recipes hit or miss. Some I just love, and others... I made a fish dish with grapefruit, fennel, and black olives last week and it tasted as *ahem* unsual as it sounds.

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  17. Oh, bummer! I was excited to see this recipe because of gorgonzola which I love, but sorry it wasn't great, maybe it would be a lot better without that lemon zest.

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  18. The sandwich looks terrific and I love the idea of eggs, bacon and gorgonzola....but even I have to admit that lemon zest does not belong in there. Bummer - because it looks like it would've been a killer sandwich.

    I never really noticed her affinity for lemon zest. Definitely something to keep an eye on. I don't like wasting food either.

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  19. Ok, now I have to stick my hand up and admit that I am a bit like Giada, in that I'm a bit nuts about lemon zest too. However, I do agree that there is a time and place. I think though that what Giada often does (and she's not alone here - I've also seen Nigella and Ina do this) is try to "spruce up" a store bought mayonnaise with some lemon zest. Sorry but in my opinion, nothing is ever going to make store bought mayo sing. I would like to mix my eggs and bacon with a home-made lemon (complete with juice & zest) and tarragon mayonnaise - and that would make me happy, and I agree a bit of celery would be good too. I think the ingredient that really seems out of place here for me is the gorgonzola (even though I love gorgonzola). Anyway, sorry that this was disappointing for you, but at least you gave it a go :-(
    Sue

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  20. I love hearing about your relationship with Giada...these posts always make me smile! I do imagine that this would have tasted much better without the lemon zest. Thank you for sharing. I hope you have a great week!

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  21. Thats a filling, droolworthy and mouthwatering salad..

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  22. Once again, Heather, thank you for the early morning LOL!

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  23. I love anything with bacon in it ! Thanks for being honest atleast you were willing to try a recipe of Giada's anyway!

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  24. hahahaha well, you definitely tried. Maybe you and Giada were just not meant to be. What a terrible waste of bacon....

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  25. Huh, that is an odd combo. Well, you gave it a go - sorry to have had to waste food though, I hate that too.

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  26. Ooh, I love the idea of bacon and gorgonzola in egg salad, but I think I would do just a tiny dollop of mayo (I'm not a big fan of mayo in general).

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  27. Delicious looking egg salad! It's the bacon that is calling my name....

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  28. Well Heather, your photos sure won me over and I thought just from those alone that this would be a winning recipe. I agree with you, she hasn't wowed me enough yet. She sure does a good job on tv on wowing us, but her recipes are just not quite there it seems. Oh well, I voted for Lydia who is better trained and more authentic. Live and learn, huh? Let's keep hoping that GdL. recipes will get better as we read on. Happy Thanksgiving, Roz

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  29. I suddenly have a huge craving for egg salad.

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  30. How can anyone possibly ruin the perfection of egg-Gorgonzola-bacon??? I am shocked. Tell me -- why don't YOU have your own show on the Food Network??? Giada's makin' millions while you're improving her recipes!

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  31. At least you were honest! I have yet to try a Giada recipe, they don't really inspire me either, so I am feeling you on this one!

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  32. Egg salad makes my mouth happy, I'm a freak for gorgonzola, and bacon has it's way with me. That being said, this recipe didn't exactly do it for me either.

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  33. Heather, I have to say your sandwich certainly LOOKS delicious. I would love this actually (minus the lemon zest of course). Thanks so much for linking up to Cookbook Sundays and my apologies for taking to long to visit you. Have a great week!

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