BLT Salad

(3)

It's everything you love about the iconic bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich in salad form. 

blt salad
Photo: Victor Protasio
Hands On Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
40 mins
Servings:
4

Is there anything better than a classic BLT sandwich? Perhaps, yes: this salad with the works, plus a luscious blue cheese dressing. The oven will do the bulk of the job, cooking the bacon to crispy perfection and turning out golden sourdough bread croutons. Meanwhile on the stovetop, you'll have some eggs boiling until the yolk is creamy but no longer runny. And then all that's left to do is blend the blue cheese dressing with equal parts mayonnaise and buttermilk before assembling the salad. Chopped crispy romaine would make an excellent swap for the baby spinach.

Ingredients

  • 8 thick-cut slices bacon

  • 3 cups torn artisanal or sourdough bread (from 4 oz. bread)

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • .50 teaspoon kosher salt, divided

  • 4 large eggs

  • 3 ounces blue cheese, crumbled (about 3/4 cup)

  • ¼ cup mayonnaise

  • ¼ cup buttermilk

  • .50 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for serving

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, plus more for serving

  • 1 5-oz. pkg. baby spinach

  • 2 large tomatoes (about 1 lb. total), coarsely chopped

  • Flaky sea salt, for serving

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F with racks in top and lower third positions. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place bacon on baking sheet in a single layer. Place bread cubes on a separate large rimmed baking sheet; add oil and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, tossing with bread to combine. Place bacon on top rack and bread cubes on lower rack of oven. Bake croutons until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Continue to bake bacon until crisp, 10 to 12 minutes more. Transfer bacon to a towel-lined plate.

  2. Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Carefully lower eggs into water. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 9 minutes. Transfer eggs to a bowl of ice water and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes.

  3. Process cheese, mayonnaise, buttermilk, 1 tablespoon water, pepper, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt in a food processor or blender until smooth, about 45 seconds. Transfer to a bowl and stir in chives.

  4. Peel eggs and halve lengthwise. Chop bacon into bite-size pieces. Arrange spinach on a platter. Top with tomatoes, eggs, bacon, and croutons. Top tomatoes and eggs with flaky sea salt, pepper, and chives. Serve with blue cheese dressing.

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