Aside from co-hosting Food Network's new primetime series, Worst Cooks in America, Beau MacMillan is executive chef of "elements" at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain in Arizona. He graduated from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, R.I. and then spent a year under the tutelage of Chef Francios Demueloge. In addition to his vast restaurant work, Beau has competed on Iron Chef America and cooked at The James Beard House.

Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups milk

2 oz butter

4 oz goat cheese

1 small head red cabbage

4-6 slices bacon, coarsely chopped

2 Tbsp olive oil

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

½ cup herbed pecans (see recipe)

½ Lemon (juiced)

Kosher Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste

2 cups wild arugula

Preparation:

1. In a sauce pot, bring milk to a boil. Allow to reduce by 1/3; lower heat and add butter. Add goat cheese in pieces, stirring until creamy consistency is achieved. Keep warm.

2. Cut the cabbage in quarters, remove core, then slice in ¼ inch strips. Each slice should be about 2” long.

3. In a large sauté pan, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy and golden brown. Drain on a paper towel. Discard all but 2 Tbsp. of the fat and add the olive oil. Heat until hot but not smoking. Whisk in the vinegar and add the cabbage; wilt slightly. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.

4. Add the bacon, pecans, lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. To serve, pour creamy goat cheese on the plate, then cabbage and top with arugula.

Ingredients for Herbed Pecans:

Makes 2 cups

6 Tbsp butter

4 tsp rosemary, dried

1/8 tsp basil, dried

2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

4 cups pecan halves

Preparation:

1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add rosemary, basil, salt and cayenne pepper; stir. Remove from heat, then add the pecan halves. Toss to coat all the pecans well. Do not break the nuts.

2. Arrange nuts in a single layer on a sheet pan. Scrape any remaining herb mixture over nuts. Bake in a pre-heated 325 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until well browned.

3. Gently stir 2-3 times during baking. Serve warm or at room temperature.

For more salads or recipes from celebrity chefs, explore our Recipe File.