Taste WA Recipe #4: Cosmic Crisp Salad with Bacon and Hazelnuts

For our fourth and final recipe in our Taste WA series, get ready to celebrate the best of Washington with this Cosmic Crisp Salad featuring some of the finest local flavors! One of the apple varieties that we pride ourselves in growing at Lawrence Orchards, Cosmic Crisp, are sweet and juicy and outstanding when paired with smoky Hempler’s bacon, rich Ferndale Farmstead Asiago (or Beecher’s Sharp Cheddar), and crunchy roasted hazelnuts that all come together for a salad that’s as vibrant as our great state.

And don’t forget the apple vinaigrette— the perfect finishing touch to let those apples truly shine. Serve with a glass of our Grenache Blanc, and you’ve got yourself a fresh, Washington-grown pairing. 🍎🥓🧀

This recipe wouldn’t be complete without a little Lawrence Farms history: 

Back in 1964, Josh’s uncle, Sandy Lawrence, made a gutsy call to set up his farm on the Royal Slope—a place where other farmers had struggled and the land wasn't exactly screaming “easy farming!” While other spots seemed like a safer bet, Sandy saw potential and community on the rugged Royal Slope, even if it meant facing hot summers, windy springs, and plenty of hard work with his brother John (Josh’s dad) by his side. They initially focused on crops like wheat, beans, and forages.

Fast forward to 1980, and the Lawrences made another bold move. They decided to try their luck with apples—despite everyone telling them, “You can’t grow good fruit in the Basin.” Well, challenge accepted! With some Norwegian stubbornness and a vision for the future, they planted their first apple orchard. Spoiler alert: it paid off big time. Not only did it transform their farm, but it also helped pave the way for the region's broader agricultural success in apple production. Talk about sweet success! 🍎

Alright, time to get to the recipe and showcase those incredible Evergreen State flavors!

NOTE: This is recipe four in a four-part series.

• Recipe 1: Chef Ulises' Rainbow Trout with Almond Butter Sauce paired with Gård Sauvignon Blanc

• Recipe 2: Beefalo Stuffed Mushrooms with Chardonnay & Stilton Butter Sauce paired with Cabernet Franc

• Recipe 3: Chef Ulises’ Pork Chop Italiano with Creamy Polenta and Bell Pepper Sauce

Cosmic Crisp Salad with Bacon and Hazelnuts

Serves: 4-6

Recipe by Tanya Miller

Suggested wine pairing: 2023 Sans Soufre Grenache Blanc

INGREDIENTS:

For the salad:

• ~ ½ pkg baby red butter lettuce (or your favorite type of greens)

• ~ ½ pkg arugula

• 1-2 Cosmic Crisp apples cubed (we used 2 for an apple-forward salad)

• 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced

• ½  c roasted hazelnuts, chopped

• ½ c Ferndale Farmstead Asiago, shredded (or Beecher’s Sharp Cheddar)

• ½ lb Hempler’s bacon, cooked and chopped (or chopped and good, however you like to do it 🙂 )

For the apple vinaigrette:

• ¼ Cosmic Crisp apple, finely grated (approx 2 Tbsp, plus it’s juice)

• 2-3 Tbsp apple juice concentrate (from frozen, thawed),depending on desired sweetness

• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

• 4 Tbsp oil (we recommend 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil and 2 Tbsp hazelnut oil)

• ~ 1 Tbsp shallots, finely minced 

• ~ ½ tsp Dijon mustard

• Pinch of salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Make the dressing: Add all ingredients except the olive oil to a glass jar with a lid. Mix ingredients together and taste for sweetness, acidity, etc. Slowly whisk in olive oil to incorporate and emulsify. Set aside. 

2. Make the salad: In a salad bowl combine ingredients except the hazelnuts and bacon. When you are ready to serve, dress the salad with the nuts and bacon. Shake the dressing and drizzle on desired amount. Toss to combine and serve immediately.

3. Enjoy with a chilled glass of Grenache Blanc!