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Blt Salad Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 head Romaine lettuce
• 1 pint grape tomatoes
• 6 slices thick cut bacon cooked
• Sharp cheddar cheese cubed
• Texas Toast croutons
• Fresh chives thinly sliced (optional)
• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 tablespoon buttermilk (or regular milk or heavy cream)
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the Lettuce
   Begin by chopping your fresh Romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces, then give it a good rinse under cold water. You want those greens to be crisp and clean. Once washed, use a salad spinner to dry the leaves thoroughly or gently pat them with paper towels. Dry lettuce helps the dressing stick nicely, so don’t skip this step!

2. Step 2: Assemble the Base
   With your lettuce ready, place it in a large serving bowl. This will be the canvas for your delicious BLT salad. Set it aside for just a moment while you prepare the rest of your ingredients.

3. Step 3: Add Tomatoes
   Take your pint of grape tomatoes and slice them in half. This not only makes them easier to eat, but also helps them release a bit of their juicy goodness into the salad. Gently toss the halved tomatoes into the bowl with your lettuce.

4. Step 4: Incorporate the Bacon and Cheese
   Next, chop the cooked bacon into bite-sized pieces. Thick-cut bacon works wonderfully here, adding a satisfying crunch and smoky flavor. Toss the bacon and cubed sharp cheddar cheese into the bowl. They’re the heart of this salad, bringing that classic BLT taste to life.

5. Step 5: Create the Dressing
   In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together your mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk (or whatever creamy substitute you’re using), garlic powder, salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Whisk until everything is smooth and well combined. This dressing is rich and creamy, with a subtle garlic kick that ties everything together.

6. Step 6: Dress the Salad
   Pour the prepared dressing over the salad. Don’t worry about being too precise; you just want everything to be lightly coated. Toss the salad gently to ensure each bite is flavorful. A little patience goes a long way here, as you aim for an even distribution of ingredients and dressing.

7. Step 7: Add the Finishing Touches
   Finally, scatter the Texas Toast croutons over the top for a delightful crunch. If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle some freshly sliced chives for a pop of color and mild oniony flavor. Serve your salad immediately, as the croutons are at their best when they maintain their crispness.

And there you have it! A delightful BLT salad that's perfect for any meal, bringing all the comforts of a classic sandwich into a refreshing bowl. Enjoy your culinary creation!

Notes

When whipping up this delightful BLT salad, it's easy to slip into a few common blunders. One misstep is not drying the lettuce thoroughly. Damp leaves can lead to a soggy salad, and nobody enjoys that! A trusty salad spinner or a gentle pat with paper towels ensures crisp, refreshing greens.

Another potential pitfall is over-dressing. It's tempting to pour it all on, but start with a little, toss, and taste. You can always add more, but taking away is tricky!

Also, don't forget to slice those tomatoes evenly. Uneven chunks can make for awkward bites, and we want each forkful to be perfect.

Finally, while croutons add a delightful crunch, add them just before serving. This keeps them from going soft, preserving that satisfying texture contrast.

Enjoy the process—half the fun is in the making!

Keywords: BLT salad, bacon lettuce tomato salad, BLT chopped salad, bacon lettuce tomato mix, BLT salad dish, bacon lettuce salad.