Layered Salad

I like to serve this in a glass bowl so all the layers and all their colors can be appreciated. It's pretty. Divas like anything pretty. (photo by viZZZual.com)


The man in my life particularly likes this dish because of the bacon. He believes anything tastes better with bacon. It is a sort of mantra for him. My newest favorite way of cooking bacon, which applies to this recipe, is to cut it up into 1-inch pieces with kitchen scissors and throw it all into a skillet and swish it around a bit until it's crisp.

This recipe does involve a bit of chopping, but I found it's not bad with a bottle of cold chardonnay nearby and Jimmy Buffet singing to me. Plus most of the chopping can be done ahead of time.

Layered Salad

1 bag (2 cups) of your favorite lettuce (I use Romaine)

6 bacon strips, cooked, crumbled (or use bacon bits in a jar)

1 cucumber, diced and seeded

a bunch grape tomatoes, halved

1/2 red onion, chopped

1/2 cup Gorgonzola cheese

1 avocado, diced

Layer these ingredients any way you like. Or you can toss them together. I put the lettuce on the bottom and the bacon on top. For the rest, anything goes. Some like to toss this all with dressing. I like to serve the dressing on the side. I serve this with a vinaigrette, but anything creamy works, as well.

Other fun ingredients: yellow, red, or orange peppers; blue cheese; sprouts; chick peas

Make into a meal: Add shrimp

Wine: any cold white wine or rose