Grandma's Updated Wilted Lettuce with Crispy Bacon & Balsamic Glaze

Recipe Introduction

Ever rummaged in the fridge and thought, "oh crikey, what am i going to cook with this ?". well, that's how my wilted lettuce recipe came about! this isn’t just any salad.

Think warm bacon vinaigrette salad magic.

Grandma's Grub Upgrade!

It takes a simple wilted lettuce salad bacon and elevates it to a dish worthy of a sunday roast. this pennsylvania dutch wilted lettuce inspired dish hits all the right notes, offering a symphony of flavors that'll tickle your taste buds.

Brief Wilted Salad Overview

This salad probably has roots in the pennsylvania dutch culinary tradition. they are known for using everything, including slightly past-its-prime lettuce.

It's surprisingly simple. you'll need about 25 minutes of your precious time. this recipe serves about 4, perfect for a small family nosh.

The Benefits You Gotta Know

Honestly, the best thing about this is how darn easy it is. plus, you get the joy of using up lettuce before it turns into a science experiment in the crisper drawer! you could totally serve this as a side with bangers and mash or a simple grilled chicken.

My nan would be so proud.

Grandma's Updated Wilted Lettuce with Crispy Bacon & Balsamic Glaze Recipe Card

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Preparation time:10 Mins

Cooking time:15 Mins

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 6 slices thick-cut bacon (about 170g), preferably smoked
• 2 tablespoons water (30ml)
• 2 tablespoons bacon fat, reserved from cooking bacon (30ml)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (30ml)
• 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze (15ml)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (5ml)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (1.5ml)
• 1/8 teaspoon salt (0.75ml)
• 1 large head of leaf lettuce (about 300g), such as red leaf or butter lettuce, washed and roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion (about 40g)

Instructions:

• Place bacon in a large skillet with water. Cook over medium heat until crispy, about 10-12 minutes. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet. Crumble the cooked bacon.
• Whisk together the reserved bacon fat, apple cider vinegar, balsamic glaze, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in the skillet. Heat over medium heat until warm, about 1 minute.
• Add the chopped lettuce and red onion to the skillet. Toss gently to coat with the warm dressing. Cook until the lettuce is just wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
• Transfer the wilted lettuce to a serving bowl. Top with the crumbled bacon. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:220 calories

Fat:17g

Fiber:2g

Recipe Info

Category:Salad

Cuisine:American

Ingredients & Equipment: Grandma's Wilted Lettuce, Reimagined

Right, let's talk ingredients for this amazing wilted lettuce recipe . honestly, it's all about quality here, especially that bacon. you know, the kind your nan would approve of, but with a cheeky balsamic glaze thrown in for good measure.

Main Ingredients: The Building Blocks

Here's what you need to whip up this wilted lettuce salad bacon masterpiece.

• For the Bacon:
  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon (about 170g ), smoked, if you can. Smoked bacon? Yes, please!
  • 2 tablespoons water ( 30ml ). Trust me on this one, it helps render the fat.
• For the Dressing:
  • 2 tablespoons bacon fat, kept after cooking bacon ( 30ml ). Liquid gold, this is.
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar ( 30ml ). The tang is key.
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze ( 15ml ). Sweet and sticky perfection.
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard ( 5ml ). Gives it a bit of a kick.
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper ( 1.5ml ). Freshly ground is best, innit?
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt ( 0.75ml ). Don't go overboard, the bacon's salty enough.
• For the Salad:
  • 1 large head of leaf lettuce (about 300g ), red leaf or butter lettuce. Washed well!
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion (about 40g ). Adds a nice bite.

When choosing your lettuce, look for vibrant colours and crisp leaves. avoid anything slimy or wilted before you even start.

Quality bacon makes all the difference too - think about getting it from a butcher.

Seasoning Notes: Elevating the Flavor

This isn't just a lettuce salad with bacon and vinegar , it's an experience. the balsamic glaze with the apple cider vinegar and mustard creates a vinaigrette which makes this a warm bacon vinaigrette salad .

Don't be afraid to experiment with other vinegars like sherry or red wine vinegar. a dash of honey or maple syrup can replace the balsamic glaze if you're after a different kind of sweetness.

Honestly, a pinch of red pepper flakes in the dressing gives a nice kick. Sub smoked paprika to the dressing for a flavour that is similar to bacon.

Equipment Needed: Keeping It Simple

You don't need fancy gadgets for this wilted spinach salad with bacon .

• Large skillet or frying pan. For cooking the bacon and making the dressing.
• Whisk. To bring the dressing together.
• Large bowl. For tossing the salad.

A spatula can sub for the whisk if you don't have one. Just try getting all of the ingredients incorporated in a similar manner.

So, there you have it. nothing too intimidating, right? get your ingredients together, and let's get cooking! i know the pennsylvania dutch wilted lettuce is good, but this vintage wilted lettuce salad upgrade is even better.

You will love this hot bacon dressing for salad !

Cooking Method: Wilted Lettuce Recipe - Not Your Average Salad!

Right then, let's tackle this wilted lettuce recipe ! forget boring rabbit food, this is proper comfort food, elevated! we're talking about taking something simple and making it amazing.

I'm thinking nan's wilted lettuce salad bacon , but fancy, yeah?

Prep Steps: Getting Your Ducks in a Row

Essential mise en place , yeah? honestly, getting everything prepped is half the battle. chop your lettuce , red onion.

Measure out your vinegar, balsamic glaze, and other bits. i love using those little ramekins. makes me feel like a proper chef, even if i'm just making a salad.

Time-saving tip? cook your bacon ahead of time! then you can just crumble it when you're ready. boom! efficiency. be safe, kids! hot fat can be a right menace.

Keep an eye on that bacon.

Step-by-Step Process: Turning Lettuce into Gold

1. Cook the bacon: Pop 6 slices of bacon with 2 tablespoons of water in a skillet. Medium heat. Cook until crisp, about 10- 12 minutes .
2. Dressing time: Reserve 2 tablespoons of that amazing bacon fat. Whisk with 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze, 1 teaspoon Dijon, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and a pinch of salt.
3. Get it warm: Heat the dressing over medium heat. You only need about 1 minute . Warming it makes the magic happen.
4. Wilt it!: Chuck your chopped lettuce and red onion into the skillet. Toss gently.
5. Just a minute : Cook until the lettuce just wilts. 1- 2 minutes , tops! You want it tender, not soggy.
6. Bacon Finale: Transfer to a bowl. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon. Serve it up!

Pro Tips: Level Up Your Salad Game

Don't overcook the lettuce. Seriously! Soggy wilted salad with bacon is no one's friend.

Good quality bacon is key. The smokier, the better. Honestly, splurge a bit. Makes a difference. I even used the drippings in my cornbread once. Divine.

You can make the dressing ahead of time! store it in the fridge. warm it slightly before adding the lettuce.

Perfect for a quick lunch. you know what? i bet this pennsylvania dutch wilted lettuce is the ancestor to this salad.

Recipe Notes

Alright, you've got the basics for my Grandma's Updated Wilted Lettuce Recipe . Now, let's chat about the nitty-gritty – the stuff that can take this from "meh" to "Oh my gosh, this is amazing!"

Serving It Up Right

Presentation matters, even with a humble wilted lettuce salad bacon . don't just chuck it in a bowl! make it look pretty.

I like to arrange the wilted salad with bacon in a slightly mounded pile, drizzling a little extra balsamic glaze over the top in a zig-zag pattern.

For sides, think simple. this wilted spinach salad with bacon (if you swap the lettuce) or regular version goes great with grilled chicken or a nice piece of salmon.

A crisp white wine, like sauvignon blanc, is a perfect drink pairing. honestly, a refreshing iced tea does the trick too.

You know? something to cut through the richness of the bacon.

Keeping It Fresh

No one wants soggy wilted lettuce . if you have leftovers, store the salad and dressing separately. the lettuce will keep for a day or two in the fridge, but it’s best fresh.

I don’t recommend freezing it! it will turn into a mush.

Reheating the dressing is easy. just pop it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds . it should be just warm, not boiling.

Don't overcook the dressing , or the balsamic glaze might get weird.

Mix It Up a Bit

Fancy a change? we can do that. for a veggie version, ditch the bacon. use olive oil and smoked paprika to get that smoky flavor.

Some toasted pecans add a lovely crunch. a hot bacon dressing for salad is a game-changer, but easily adapted.

If you’re feeling fancy, add a poached egg on top. seriously, it's delicious. you can also swap the apple cider vinegar for white wine vinegar if that's what you have.

Maple syrup makes a sweet swap for balsamic glaze, though it will change the flavour. remember, its your dish – get creative!.

Nutrition Lowdown

Ok, so it's not exactly kale smoothie. but it's not terrible. roughly speaking, you're looking at 220 calories per serving.

Plus, it's got protein from the bacon and fibre from the lettuce. there's a bit of fat, but hey, it’s bacon! plus, the apple cider vinegar in the warm bacon vinaigrette salad dressing can aid digestion.

Who knew! this pennsylvania dutch wilted lettuce inspired dish isn't only delicious but also gives some good health benefits. the lettuce salad with bacon and vinegar is a proper treat in moderation.

So there you have it! All the tips and tricks to make this vintage wilted lettuce salad your own. Don't be afraid to experiment, have fun, and enjoy! You got this!