Recipe: 🥗 Black & Bleu Salad

A bold, peppery, creamy, crave-worthy salad that steals the show — without needing any protein.

This is the kind of side salad people remember. It’s simple, fast, and packed with flavor: cracked black pepper, creamy bleu cheese, crisp greens, and a tangy vinaigrette that ties it all together. It pairs beautifully with steak, chicken, salmon, or any holiday meal — but it’s just as good next to a weeknight dinner in the RV.

🥬 Ingredients

For the Salad

• 4 cups mixed greens (arugula + spring mix is perfect)

• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• ¼ red onion, thinly sliced

• ½ cucumber, sliced or diced

• ⅓ cup crumbled bleu cheese

• ¼ cup candied pecans or toasted walnuts

• Optional add-ins:

  • Sliced pears or apples

  • Roasted corn

  • Cracked black pepper croutons

For the Black & Bleu Vinaigrette

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• 1 tsp honey

• 1–2 tbsp bleu cheese crumbles

• Lots of cracked black pepper

• Salt to taste

🔥 Instructions

1. Make the Dressing

1. Whisk together olive oil, balsamic, Dijon, and honey.

2. Add bleu cheese and mash lightly with a fork so it softens into the vinaigrette.

3. Add a generous amount of cracked black pepper (this is the signature!).

4. Taste and season with salt.

You want a creamy-but-still-vinaigrette consistency.

2. Build the Salad

In a medium bowl or serving plate, layer:

1. Mixed greens

2. Cherry tomatoes

3. Onions

4. Cucumbers

5. Nuts

6. Bleu cheese

3. Drizzle & Toss

Right before serving, drizzle with the dressing and gently toss.Finish with one more crack of fresh black pepper.

⭐ Why This Salad Works as a Side

• It’s bold without overpowering the main dish.

• The creamy + tangy combo pairs with EVERYTHING.

• It takes 5 minutes to throw together in any kitchen, even a tiny RV one.

• It looks beautiful on a holiday table.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Pair it with:

• Salmon (especially cranberry or honey glazed)

• Grilled chicken

• Pasta dishes

• Steak or charred meats

• Thanksgiving turkey or chicken

• Holiday mains like ham or pork loin

Or serve it on its own as a light starter.