The vinaigrette-dressed greens provide a satisfying tang that plays off the richness of the bacon, which also provides a salty counterpart to the slight sweetness of the jumbo shrimp.

To build your off-the-cuff kitchen repertoire, take cues from the flavor combinations in The Creative Cook Menu.
Servings: Serves 4
Ingredients
Dressing:
  • 1 Tbsp. honey
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
Salad:
  • 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
  • 12 (about 3/4 pound) jumbo tail-on shrimp , peeled and deveined
  • 6 slices bacon , halved crosswise
  • 1 Tbsp. honey
  • 1 bunch (1/4 pound) arugula
Directions
Note: It is important to use jumbo shrimp in this recipe because smaller shrimp will overcook in the time it takes for the bacon wrapped around them to crisp. If jumbo shrimp are not available, precook the bacon slices until just golden but still pliable, and then wrap them around the nearly done shrimp and proceed with the recipe.

To make dressing: Put 1 tablespoon honey in a medium bowl. Add lemon juice and mustard; whisk to combine. Slowly pour in olive oil, whisking constantly. Season to taste with salt and pepper; set aside.

To make salad: Use 1/2 teaspoon pepper to season shrimp all over. Wrap 1 piece of bacon snugly around each shrimp and secure with a toothpick running lengthwise (so shrimp can lie flat).

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Arrange shrimp in a single layer and cook, flipping once, until bacon is just crisp, about 10 minutes. Drizzle honey over shrimp and continue to cook, basting often with pan juices, until bacon is caramelized and shrimp are cooked through, about 2 minutes more. Transfer to a large plate. When cool enough to handle, remove and discard toothpicks.

Arrange arugula on plates. Top with warm shrimp, add dressing, and serve.

Extra idea: This could also work just as well as a rice salad: Dice and sauté the bacon, add the shrimp, then toss it all over warm rice, shredded greens, and honey-sweetened dressing.

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