May 07

Hollywood Brown Derby

imagesThe Hollywood Brown Derby located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a replica of the original family restaurant located in Los Angeles, CA.  Started  by Robert H. Cobb and Herbert Somborn, it is believed to be the birthplace of the Cobb Salad and the famed salad has become one of the signature dishes on the menu.  Other menu items include steaks, seafood and pasta specialties and an extensive international fine wine selection.

About 63,000 Cobb salads are tossed every year at The Hollywood Brown Derby.   The original dressing recipe dates back to 1926 and still tops the salads today in both the Los Angeles locations and Disney’s Hollywood Studios as well.

If you have had the pleasure of dining there and had the Cobb salad, you know what an incredible dish it truly is.  Here’s the exact recipe so you can enjoy a little Disney dining at home:0123ZY_0061SM-640x426

For the Salad:

  • 1 cup of chopped iceberg lettuce
  • 1 cup of chopped chicory leave
  • 1 cup of tender watercress sprigs (plus additional sprigs for garnish)
  • 1 pound of finely chopped poached turkey breast
  • 2 medium ripe tomatoes – seeded and finely chopped
  • 1 avocado peeled, seeded and finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
  • 6 bacon strips cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 3 hard boiled eggs peeled and finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons snipped fresh chives
  • 1/2 cup of The Hollywood Brown Derby Old Fashioned French Dressing, chilled (recipe to follow)
  1. Toss the iceberg, chicory and watercress together and arrange in a salad bowl.
  2. In straight and separate lines, arrange the turkey, tomatoes, avocado, blue cheese, bacon and eggs on top of the chopped greens.
  3. Sprinkle the chives in two diagonal lines across the salad.
  4. When ready to serve, present the salad bowl at the table and toss with the chilled dressing.  Place on chilled plates and add watercress sprigs as garnish.

Brown Derby Old Fashioned French Dressing:

  • 2 tablespoons of water
  • 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoon of sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon of dry English mustard
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  1. Whisk together the water, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic, sugar, pepper and dry mustard together in a bowl until well blended.images
  2. While whisking constantly, add the vegetable oil and the olive oil in a slow, steady stream until the dressing is emulsified.
  3. Store covered and chill until you are ready to toss with your salad.
  4. Whisk dressing to blend just before serving.

Holly Wiencek
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Holly Wiencek

Holly Wiencek is the author of Capturing the Magic: A Photographic Journey Through the Walt Disney World Parks. A Florida native and lifelong Disney enthusiast, Holly has been visiting Disney Parks since she was a toddler. With countless visits to both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, she has spent a lifetime exploring and learning about the history and legacy Walt Disney left behind and the details created by Disney Imagineering. She spends her spare time making Disney magic in her everyday life and enjoys sharing that magic with her husband and her daughter, Abby.

Visit www.capturing-the-magic.com for a preview of the stunning coffee table book, Capturing the Magic and purchase your copy today.

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