Tomato, Basil & Bacon Salad

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.

Cooking Method: Frying

Cuisine: Italian

Courses: Salads

Difficulty: Advanced

Servings: 2

Calories: 99.7

Dietary: Gluten-free

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

1 tablespoon Olive oil
1 Garlic Clove, smashed
1 sl Good-quality white bread,

Directions

1
Cut bacon strips into 1/2-inch pieces.
2
Dice one large beefsteak tomato into 1/2-inch cubes.
3
Chop 1/2 cup of fresh basil leaves.
4
Dice 2 oz (1/2 cup) of mozzarella cheese.
5
Cut bread into 1/2-inch cubes.
6
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
7
Add smashed garlic clove and bread cubes to the skillet.
8
Toss frequently until bread cubes are browned and crisp, about 5 minutes.
9
Remove croutons with a slotted spoon and set aside.
10
Discard the garlic clove.
11
Fry bacon in the same skillet until crisp.
12
Remove bacon, drain on paper towels, and crumble.
13
Arrange diced tomatoes in a high pile on dinner plates.
14
Top with chopped basil and diced mozzarella.
15
Sprinkle crumbled bacon over the salad.
16
Season generously with freshly ground black pepper.
17
Whisk together 1 tablespoon basil-flavored olive oil and 1 1/2 teaspoons sherry or red wine vinegar.
18
Pour dressing over the salad.
19
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.

Keywords: tomato, basil, bacon, salad, italian, croutons, mozzarella, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, summer, lunch, side dish, fresh, crisp, vegetarian option

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/tomato-basil-bacon-salad/