Sautéed Romaine with Smoky Bacon Vinaigrette
This dish brings together the crisp freshness of romaine lettuce with the rich, smoky flavor of crispy bacon, creating a delightful medley of textures and tastes. The wilted greens absorb a tangy, sweet vinaigrette made from bacon drippings, sugar, and vinegar, creating an irresistible warm dressing that enhances the vibrant romaine. Perfect as a warm side dish or a light main course, this recipe is quick to prepare, making it a standout choice for weeknight dinners or special occasions alike. Inspired by a delightful episode of Cooking for Real with Sunny Anderson, this dish is sure to become a new favorite in your household.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
Romaine lettuce
4 hearts (chopped)
Bacon
4 slices (cooked crispy)
Sugar
2 tablespoons (none)
Vinegar
1/4 cup (none)
Kosher salt
to taste (none)
Fresh ground black pepper
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
Start by chopping the hearts of romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large serving bowl.
2
In a skillet, over medium heat, add the bacon strips and cook until they are crispy and golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
3
Once the bacon is done, remove it from the skillet, allowing it to drain on a paper towel, and then crumble it into small pieces before scattering it over the greens.
4
In the same skillet with the bacon drippings, add the sugar and vinegar. Stir and simmer the mixture for about 2 minutes, allowing the sugar to fully dissolve and scraping up any flavorful brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
5
Season the dressing with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, adjusting to your preference.
6
Immediately pour the warm vinaigrette over the chopped romaine and toss gently to combine, letting the heat wilt the greens slightly while ensuring an even coating of the dressing.
7
Serve the salad right away for maximum freshness and flavor, garnished with additional crumbled bacon if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sautéed Romaine with Smoky Bacon Vinaigrette?
It is a warm salad dish that combines crisp romaine lettuce with a tangy, sweet vinaigrette made from bacon drippings, sugar, and vinegar.
How many romaine hearts are needed for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 hearts of romaine lettuce.
What are the main ingredients for the vinaigrette?
The vinaigrette is made using bacon drippings, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1/4 cup of vinegar.
How much bacon is used in this dish?
The recipe requires 4 slices of bacon, cooked until crispy.
How should the romaine lettuce be prepared?
The romaine hearts should be chopped into bite-sized pieces and placed in a large serving bowl.
How long does it take to cook the bacon?
Cook the bacon strips over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until they are crispy and golden brown.
What do I do with the bacon after cooking?
Remove it from the skillet, drain it on a paper towel, crumble it into small pieces, and scatter it over the romaine.
How is the warm dressing prepared?
In the skillet with bacon drippings, add sugar and vinegar, then simmer for about 2 minutes while stirring.
What is the purpose of simmering the vinaigrette for 2 minutes?
Simmering allows the sugar to fully dissolve and helps scrape up flavorful brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
How should I season the dressing?
Season the mixture with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference.
When should the vinaigrette be added to the lettuce?
The warm vinaigrette should be poured over the chopped romaine immediately after simmering.
Does the lettuce need to be cooked in the pan?
No, the heat from the warm vinaigrette is enough to wilt the greens slightly when tossed.
Is this recipe suitable for a quick meal?
Yes, it is described as a quick-to-prepare dish perfect for weeknight dinners.
Can this be served as a main course?
Yes, it works well as either a warm side dish or a light main course.
Who inspired this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by an episode of Cooking for Real with Sunny Anderson.
What type of salt is recommended?
The recipe specifically recommends using kosher salt.
Should the salad be served hot or cold?
It should be served right away while the vinaigrette is warm for maximum freshness and flavor.
How much sugar is required?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of sugar.
What amount of vinegar is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of vinegar.
What provides the 'smoky' flavor in this recipe?
The smoky flavor comes from the crispy bacon and the vinaigrette made with bacon drippings.
Can I add extra garnish?
Yes, you can garnish the finished dish with additional crumbled bacon if desired.
How many ingredients are in this recipe total?
There are 6 total ingredients: romaine, bacon, sugar, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
What is the texture of the romaine after tossing?
The romaine remains fresh but becomes slightly wilted from the heat of the dressing.
What kind of heat should be used to cook the bacon?
Medium heat is recommended for cooking the bacon strips.
Should I wash the skillet after cooking the bacon?
No, you use the same skillet and the remaining drippings to create the vinaigrette.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include salad, greens, romaine, bacon, vinaigrette, warm salad, and bistro night.
Is there a specific way to toss the salad?
Toss the greens gently to ensure an even coating of the warm dressing.
Does the recipe include nutritional information like calories?
No, the current recipe data does not specify calories, fat, or other nutritional values.
Can I use ground pepper from a shaker?
The recipe specifically calls for freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor.
What is the first step of the recipe?
The first step is chopping the hearts of romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces.