Description
Crisp garden greens mingle with zesty Mediterranean salad in a delightful symphony of fresh flavors. Summer’s bounty comes alive with each colorful bite you’ll savor, creating a light and refreshing culinary experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 10 ounces (280 grams) beef bacon
Vegetables and Greens:
- 3 large romaine hearts, chopped into bite size pieces
- 1 pint (473 milliliters) grape tomatoes, halved
Cheese and Nuts:
- 1 cup (4 ounces / 113 grams) shredded Swiss cheese
- 1/2 cup (1.4 ounces / 40 grams) finely shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (142 grams) slivered almonds
- 1 1/2 cups (60 grams) croutons
Dressing Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup (177 milliliters) light olive oil
- 1/3 cup (79 milliliters) fresh lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 teaspoons honey
- 3/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Craft the zesty dressing by combining olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, dijon mustard, and honey in a sealed jar. Shake vigorously until ingredients meld seamlessly, ensuring honey is fully incorporated. Refrigerate while preparing other components.
- Toast almonds at 350F (175C) for 6-10 minutes, spreading them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Stir midway to ensure even golden-brown coloration. Remove promptly to prevent burning and allow cooling.
- Prepare bacon at 400F (200C) on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake 13-18 minutes until crisp, monitoring closely for desired doneness. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess grease, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Thoroughly rinse romaine hearts and dry completely using a salad spinner. Transfer to a large serving bowl and add cooled almonds, crispy bacon, grape tomatoes, Swiss cheese, and parmesan.
- Retrieve chilled dressing, shake briefly, and drizzle over salad ingredients. Toss gently to coat evenly. Immediately before serving, sprinkle croutons and perform a final gentle toss to distribute all components. Serve immediately for optimal texture and flavor.
Notes
- Customize dressing by adjusting honey and lemon levels for personalized tanginess.
- Choose turkey bacon or plant-based alternatives for lower-fat or vegetarian options.
- Store dressing separately from salad ingredients to maintain crispness and prevent sogginess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Shaking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 32 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg