The whole family loves this BLT salad and it’s part of the school lunchbox on a regular basis. My daughter especially likes salads, but my son is still getting used to anything green!
Ingredients:
For the dressing
– 6 tbsp mayonnaise
– 1⁄2 lemon, zest and juice
– 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
– Salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the salad
– 1⁄3 baguette
– Extra virgin olive oil
– 1 garlic clove, peeled and halved
– Salt and freshly ground black pepper
– 1 radicchio head, leaves separated and torn
– 1⁄2 head iceberg lettuce, leaves separated and torn
– 16 cherry tomatoes, halved
– 3 sundried tomatoes, finely chopped
– 8 slices of good-quality streaky bacon, cooked, chopped and drained
Method:
Make the dressing
1. To make the dressing, combine all the dressing ingredients together in a bowl, check for seasoning and set aside.
Make the croutons
1. To make the croutons, preheat the grill. Thinly slice the baguette on the diagonal into 1⁄2 cm slices.
2. Brush both sides of each slice with olive oil and grill until golden brown. When still warm, rub one side with the raw garlic.
3. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
Make the salad
1. To make the salad, put the radicchio, iceberg lettuce, cherry tomatoes, sundried tomatoes and bacon into a bowl. Drizzle over some dressing and coat well. Turn out onto a salad platter.
2. Arrange the croutons around the sides, drizzle with additional dressing and serve.
3. Add 2 finely sliced spring onions and replace the bacon with tuna.
Her cookbook Catherine’s Family Kitchen, contains over 100 recipes that are geared to those who love good food but have busy, modern lifestyles. Practical, easy to make and truly delicious, her recipes make home made cooking approachable and uncomplicated.
Catherine Fulvio is the proprietor of the Ballyknocken House & Cookery School, Co Wicklow and one of Ireland’s top television culinary stars. Her previous books Catherine’s Italian Kitchen, Catherine’s Family Kitchen, Eat Like an Italian and The Weekend Chef were all bestsellers.
Catherine’s Family Kitchen is published by Gill Books, and is available to buy on www.gillbooks.ie.
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