I’ve got another picnic recipe for you today! Hey! I forewarned you that I was in a picnic mood. I can’t stop. I won’t stop. I promise I’ll bake something this weekend. I promise. It’s supposed to rain anyway, and if there’s anything that helps in getting rid of those rainy day blues, it’s anything sweet and baked. Any-who, I wanted to do something special with the delicious cider I received from Tieton Cider Works. I was so in love with their Yakima Dry-Hopped Cider, that I knew I had to cook with it. This is the dish I came up with. This salad is perfect for a picnic. It’s perfect served warm, at room temperature or chilled…AND…it’s great anytime of day. This salad contains sweet potatoes that have been grilled to perfection, and then topped with bacon and pickled onions. The vinaigrette is made from the cider and the match couldn’t be more perfect. Recipe is below, along with some thoughts on this DELISH cider, so read ahead!
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Cider: Tieton Cider Works’ Yakima Dry-Hopped Cider
Cidery: Tieton Cider Works
Style: Cider
ABV: 6.9%
Description: If you are a beer lover, who rarely goes over to the “cider-side,” this cider is for you. I mean, I feel like the “dry-hopped” aspect of this cider, should give it away. I’ve never had a cider like this before. I love anything dry: wine, beer, cider … you name it. This cider is a lovely blend of sweet and slight bitter notes. It’s just great…so great in fact that I am distraught that it’s all gone. I hate it when that happens! I added it to the vinaigrette in this sweet potato salad (and it was AMAZING), and decided to pair with it as well. It gives the salad the perfect little kick, and it also enhances the spiciness from the jalapeño. It’s great all around, so give it a go!
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[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:21795]
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10 Comments
Ok this looks delicious! I love love sweet potatoes and squash so this is right up my alley! Beautiful, colorful pictures as always.
Thank you so much, Micheline!
Do you drain the bacon grease before adding the rest of the ingredients?
Hi Heather, Honestly it is totally up to you. If you are talking about draining before you add the onion, then I suggest adding some other fat (maybe a tablespoon of olive oil). If you want to saute the onions in the bacon fat, but don’t want it in the actual “dressing,” then you can try to drain it before you add in the rest of the ingredients. Either way will work fine. I’m a bacon freak, so I tend to like that added flavor, but if it’s too much, drain away! I hope this helps!
This sweet potato salad is so BEAUTIFUL Justine! Was excited to read the recipe after you posted this on instagram. What a perfect picnic dish. Keep them coming!
Thank you so much, Natalie! I agree, I think it’s perfect for a picnic ;). I hope you are having a wonderful week!