Gourmet Strawberry Bacon Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of our Gourmet Strawberry Bacon Salad, a visually stunning and mouthwatering dish that combines the sweetness of fresh strawberries with the savory crunch of crispy bacon. With the added texture of toasted almonds and a creamy poppy seed dressing, this salad is perfect for any occasion. Easy to prepare and beautifully presented, it’s a crowd-pleaser that will leave your guests raving about it long after the meal is over. Ideal as a side for summer barbecues or a light main dish, this salad is not just a feast for the palate but also for the eyes.
10
Servings
300
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Romaine lettuce
1 bunch (Freshly torn)
Red onion
1 slice (Thinly sliced)
Strawberries
1 carton (Freshly sliced)
Bacon
1 lb (Crisply fried and chopped)
Almonds
1 cup (Slivered or sliced)
Sugar
1/3 cup (For toasting almonds)
Butter
1 tablespoon (Melted)
Mayonnaise
3/4 cup (For dressing)
Milk
1/4 cup (For dressing)
Sugar
1/3 cup (For dressing)
Poppy seeds
2 tablespoons (For dressing)
Raspberry vinegar
2-4 tablespoons (For dressing)
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a mixing bowl, combine slivered almonds, sugar, and melted butter. Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned. Watch closely to prevent burning!
3
In a large salad bowl, combine the freshly torn romaine lettuce, thinly sliced red onion, sliced strawberries, and chopped crispy bacon.
4
Once the toasted almonds have cooled, sprinkle them on top of the salad mixture.
5
In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, sugar, poppy seeds, and raspberry vinegar until smooth.
6
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together until well coated.
7
Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful combination of flavors!
Nutrition Information
9g
Protein
150mg
Sodium
80mg
Cholesterol
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary lettuce used in the Gourmet Strawberry Bacon Salad?
The recipe calls for one bunch of freshly torn romaine lettuce as the base for the salad.
How is the bacon prepared for this salad?
You should use one pound of bacon that has been crisply fried and then chopped into pieces.
What ingredients are used to toast the almonds?
The almonds are tossed with 1/3 cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon of melted butter before being toasted in the oven.
At what temperature should I preheat the oven for the almonds?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) to toast the almond mixture.
How long do the almonds need to toast?
The almonds should be toasted for approximately 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until lightly browned.
What is in the poppy seed dressing?
The dressing consists of mayonnaise, milk, sugar, poppy seeds, and raspberry vinegar whisked until smooth.
What kind of vinegar is recommended for the dressing?
The recipe specifically recommends using 2-4 tablespoons of raspberry vinegar for the best flavor profile.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This salad recipe is designed to provide 10 generous servings.
How many calories are in one serving of this salad?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 9 grams of protein in each serving of this strawberry bacon salad.
How much sodium is in this dish?
The salad contains 150mg of sodium per serving.
Is there cholesterol in this recipe?
Yes, there is approximately 80mg of cholesterol per serving.
Can I prepare this salad in under an hour?
Yes, the recipe is categorized as taking less than 60 minutes to prepare.
How should the red onion be prepared?
The red onion should be thinly sliced to ensure it distributes well throughout the salad.
When should I add the dressing to the salad?
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently just before serving to keep the ingredients fresh and crisp.
What type of almonds work best?
You can use either slivered or sliced almonds for this recipe.
How many strawberries are needed?
The recipe calls for one carton of fresh strawberries, sliced.
What is the recommended amount of poppy seeds?
You will need 2 tablespoons of poppy seeds for the dressing mixture.
How much mayonnaise is used in the dressing?
The dressing requires 3/4 cup of mayonnaise as its base.
Is sugar used in both the salad topping and the dressing?
Yes, 1/3 cup of sugar is used for toasting the almonds and another 1/3 cup is added to the dressing.
Can I use a different type of lettuce?
While romaine is recommended for its crunch, you could substitute it with spinach or a spring mix if preferred.
Is this salad suitable for a summer barbecue?
Yes, its vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients make it an ideal side dish for summer barbecues.
What is the best way to prevent the almonds from burning?
Watch them closely while they are in the oven and stir them occasionally to ensure even toasting.
How much milk is needed for the dressing?
You will need 1/4 cup of milk to help thin the dressing to the right consistency.
Should the almonds be hot when added to the salad?
No, you should allow the toasted almonds to cool before sprinkling them on top of the salad mixture.
What are the main tags associated with this recipe?
This recipe is tagged with salad, strawberry, bacon, romaine, poppy seed dressing, simple, delicious, summer, and party food.
Is there any fiber, fat, or carbohydrate data available?
Specific values for fiber, fat, carbohydrates, and sugar are not provided in the current nutritional information.
Can this salad be served as a main dish?
Yes, while great as a side, the inclusion of bacon and almonds makes it a satisfying light main dish.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
The recipe features 12 distinct ingredients including the components for the dressing.
Should I toss the salad gently or vigorously?
You should gently toss the salad to ensure everything is well coated without bruising the delicate strawberries or lettuce.