The youngest son has eaten ‘salad’ since almost the first day he could eat table food. And by salad, I meant plain chopped lettuce devoid of any fixin’s or toppings, or dressing of any kind. In the years since, his love for lettuce in a bowl has only grown and if it’s on a bed of green leaves, he’s game to try it. Thankfully, since he’s regressed with almost all other green veggies. More on that another day.
He’s also the polar opposite of his father, who steadfastly refused, despite all intervention and incentives, to touch a leafy green until he was 25 or so. Who knows why, but he woke up one day with a craving for salad that would not abate. Let there be light. Hallelujah, the man will finally eat something good for him. I can even serve him a big old bowl now, an all in one meal salad, and he won’t even complain. My, my … How things have changed. And why wouldn’t they with bowls full of goodness like this on the menu?
This meal is everything you love about a classic BLT sandwich, except without the bread and in a bowl, with extra goodies added in. Loaded with veggies, a little bit of creamy, salty feta, and laden with a light vinaigrette, this salad is a healthier option and packed full of more vitamins that are sure to fill you up without missing little things like the toasted bread or the mayo.
- 2 handfuls of leaf lettuce and 1 romaine heart
- 2 handfuls of grape tomatoes
- loosely packed 1/4 cup of cilantro leaves
- 1/2 red onion
- half a cucumber, optional
- 1 large avocado, optional
- 4-6 slices of bacon
- Half a handful of feta cheese
- 3 oz olive oil
- 1.5 oz balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
- pinch of salt
- Either in a skillet, or in the oven, cook your bacon until it’s cooked and crisp. While the bacon is cooking, roughly chop everything else up into bite-sized squares. Add all the salad ingredients into a large bowl, including the cooled, crumbled bacon. Gently toss to evenly combine. Crumble the feta cheese over top.
- In a small bowl, add the vinaigrette ingredients. Whisk them together until smooth. Drizzle the dressing over-top the prepared salad. Serve immediately.
- If you prefer your salads with extra dressing, you may want to double this vinaigrette recipe.
My husband didn’t eat vegetables when I met him either. He was living on chicken tenders, frozen pizza and milkshakes. Luckily, he has changed his ways and he would love this salad!
See, we are such good influences. This is a hearty salad which put it right on my guys ‘yes, please’ list.
I love great salads and especially when nothing is growing here!
Me too, and I’m ever so grateful for the produce dept at the grocery store during the Winter months.
I’m afraid my kids won’t touch salad leaves, not even with a fork! I, on the other hand, often wake up with lettuce cravings and was incredibly excited to spot a whole lettuce in our weekly vegetable box – it must be Spring soon!
Love the recipe, thanks for sharing it with us at FF!
I can’t wait for all the fresh produce that is right around the corner! Spring & Summer growing season is so close 🙂
What a fun idea for a salad! Of course, the bacon makes it! Happy TBT!