Bacon Lettuce Mozzarella and Tomato Salad

Submitted by kittycatmom

"A delicious and fresh salad served in a bread bowl. So easy to put together and great to serve at your gathering. Doubles easily."

 

• Ready In: 30mins
• Ingredients: 7
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) bottle vinaigrette (Olive Oil Vinaigrette)
• 1⁄3 cup lime juice
• 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 1 (16 ounce) French bread or (16 ounce) Italian bread, unsliced
• 1 large head bibb lettuce
• 6 plum tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 12 slices bacon, cut into thirds and cooked (thick)

directions

1. Stir together vinaigrette and lime juice. Place cheese slices in a 13- x 9-inch baking dish; drizzle with 1 cup vinaigrette mixture, and set remaining vinaigrette mixture aside. Let cheese stand 20 minutes.
2. Slice top one-fourth off bread loaf. Scoop out bread, leaving a 1-inch-thick shell. (Reserve top and center for other uses.) Place shell on a baking sheet, and brush inside evenly with 1/2 cup vinaigrette mixture.
3. Bake at 400° for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden; cool. Line bread bowl with lettuce. Fill with tomato and cheese; top with bacon. Serve with remaining vinaigrette mixture.

Reviews

[Andi Longmeadow Farm]

The most delightful salad, I used fresh tomatoes, fresh bibb lettuce from the early Spring garden and fresh lime juice. Instead of bottle dressing, I used my herb-vinaigrette dressing (homemade) from the previous day. This just went together like a blue-bird flying through the meadow beyond. So delightful and was a meal within itself. I especially loved the bread shell, baked delightfully in my toaster oven all the herbs and flavor seeping into the shell. For the bacon I used some real special "Whole Foods" apple-cured bacon that was so smooth and delicious perched on top of this salad "bowl". Great, great recipe! Loved every last bite of it. Made for Everyday is a Holiday May 2009