BLT Salad

 

We had a lovely weekend weatherwise last weekend.  Salad weather.  Well, I thought it was salad weather anyways.  Todd was not so sure!  It was nice to have drier, sunnier days however, and to me that spells Salad weather!  I do love my comfort food in the Winter, but long about this time of year I start to craving salads!

 

This simple and easy to make salad encompasses all of the things you love about the classic BLT Sandwich.

 

With lovely chunks of ripe tomato, bits of crisp bacon, and crunchy romaine lettuce, chopped red onion, all mixed with some cooked pasta and a fabulous  punchy lemon mayo dressing.  Some crunchy croutons (I used bacon flavoured ones this time) are it's crowning touch!

 

*BLT Salad*

Serves 8

Printable Recipe 

A delicious pasta salad that encompasses all of the elements of a delicious BLT.  Simple.  Quick. 

110g of good quality mayonnaise

the juice and zest of 1/2 unwaxed lemon

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp  chicken boullion powder

black pepper to taste

100g of dry pasta shapes (3/4 cup)

( I like to use fusilli)

4 slices of streaky bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 large tomato, seeded and chopped

1/2 a small red onion, peeled and finely chopped

1 Romaine Lettuce heart, thinly sliced

1 (20g) pack of crisp bread croutons ( about 1/2 cup)

Whisk the mayonnaise, lemon juice and zest, sugar and chicken boullion powder together in a large bowl.  Bring a lightly salted pot of water to the boil and then cook the pasta to al dente, according to the package directions.  Drain well and then dump the pasta right into the mayonnaise mixture in the bowl.  Give it a good grinding of black pepper.    Allow to cool completely.

Toss the cooled pasta mix together with the bacon, tomato, red onion and lettuce.  Sprinkle with the croutons and serve immediately.

Note - If you wish to make this ahead, leave out the lettuce and the croutons until just prior to serving.   Bon Appetit!