This vibrant Tomato, Basil & Bacon Salad offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors, combining crisp bacon, juicy tomatoes, and fragrant basil. The addition of homemade garlic-croutons adds a satisfying crunch, while the basil-infused oil dressing ties everything together with aromatic depth. Ideal for summer lunches, picnics, or as a light side dish, this recipe is simple to prepare with pantry staples. The savory notes from the bacon complement the freshness of the tomatoes, creating a dish that is both refreshing and hearty. Serve it warm or at room temperature for the best experience.
Tomato, Basil & Bacon Salad
Description
This vibrant Tomato, Basil & Bacon Salad offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors, combining crisp bacon, juicy tomatoes, and fragrant basil. The addition of homemade garlic-croutons adds a satisfying crunch, while the basil-infused oil dressing ties everything together with aromatic depth. Ideal for summer lunches, picnics, or as a light side dish, this recipe is simple to prepare with pantry staples. The savory notes from the bacon complement the freshness of the tomatoes, creating a dish that is both refreshing and hearty. Serve it warm or at room temperature for the best experience.Ingredients
Directions
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Cut bacon strips into 1/2-inch pieces.
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Dice one large beefsteak tomato into 1/2-inch cubes.
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Chop 1/2 cup of fresh basil leaves.
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Dice 2 oz (1/2 cup) of mozzarella cheese.
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Cut bread into 1/2-inch cubes.
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Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
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Add smashed garlic clove and bread cubes to the skillet.
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Toss frequently until bread cubes are browned and crisp, about 5 minutes.
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Remove croutons with a slotted spoon and set aside.
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Discard the garlic clove.
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Fry bacon in the same skillet until crisp.
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Remove bacon, drain on paper towels, and crumble.
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Arrange diced tomatoes in a high pile on dinner plates.
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Top with chopped basil and diced mozzarella.
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Sprinkle crumbled bacon over the salad.
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Season generously with freshly ground black pepper.
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Whisk together 1 tablespoon basil-flavored olive oil and 1 1/2 teaspoons sherry or red wine vinegar.
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Pour dressing over the salad.
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Sprinkle with warm croutons just before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 2
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 99.7kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 4.5g7%
- Saturated Fat 0.7g4%
- Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
- Sodium 122.8mg6%
- Total Carbohydrate 12.2g5%
- Dietary Fiber 0.7g3%
- Sugars 1.2g
- Protein 2.2g5%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Basil-flavored olive oil can be made at home by pouring 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil into a cup, adding 2-3 minced basil leaves, and pressing with the back of a spoon to extract flavor. Let sit for 30 minutes, then discard basil leaves.
For a vegan version, omit bacon and mozzarella. Use plain extra-virgin olive oil instead of basil-flavored oil if preferred.
Serve immediately to maintain the crispness of the croutons and bacon.
