BLT Salad with Creamy Parmesan Dressing

Salad is like the obligatory vegetable dish on the table, isn’t it? Often times, it can be an afterthought where lettuce is just thrown in a bowl with dressing on the side. Well, for my recent Pasta Party dinner, I didn’t want the usual Italian or Ceasar salad to pair along with the meal I prepared. Thankfully, my Real Simple magazine subscription gave me another salad option and I prepared this BLT Salad with Creamy Parmesan Dressing…

I’m in the ‘bacon camp’ where I think food is better with bacon. Perhaps it’s not exactly the most healthiest choice but I was willing to make an exception for my dinner party. This salad is nothing more than bacon, lettuce and tomato but it’s the creamy parmesan dressing that ties it together deliciously. In fact, the dressing was pretty easy to do with only a few ingredients that many may already have lurking in their fridge and pantry. If you wanted to make this salad into a meal, throw in some grilled chicken breast, sliced steak or even shrimp!

BLT Salad with Creamy Parmesan Dressing
recipe from Real Simple Magazine May 2010

8 slices bacon
1 head romaine lettuce, cut into strips (about 6 cups)
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
4 scallions, sliced
4-6 tablespoons Creamy Parmesan Dressing (recipe follows)

In a skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp, 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and break into pieces when cooled.

In a large bowl, toss the lettuce, tomatoes, scallions and bacon with the dressing

1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons water
kosher salt & black pepper to taste

In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, Parmesan, sour cream , vinegar, 2 tablespoons water. Season with salt and pepper to taste.