Bacon Salad

Bacon Salad combines crisp, savoury bacon with warm, soft cheese and fresh peppery rocket leaves. The bacon-wrapped cheese adds plenty of flavour and makes this simple salad surprisingly filling. It is an easy lunch or light dinner for anyone who thinks salad needs a little help from bacon!

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Servings People

Ingredients

8 rashers streaky bacon
200 g cheddar cheese firm cut into 8 chunky pieces
100 g rocket leaves fresh
8 large cherry tomatoes halved
½ small red onion thinly sliced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp Dijon mustard
½ tsp honey
salt to taste
black pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 200°C or 180°C fan.
Cut the cheese into 8 similar-sized pieces. Keep the pieces fairly chunky so they retain their shape while cooking.
200 g cheddar cheese
Lay the bacon slices on a chopping board. Place one piece of cheese towards the end of each bacon slice.
8 rashers streaky bacon
Wrap the bacon firmly around the cheese. Try to cover as much of the cheese as possible. Place each parcel seam-side down on a lined baking tray.
Put the tray into the hot oven. Cook for 12–15 minutes until the bacon is golden and cooked through.
Meanwhile, place the rocket leaves, halved cherry tomatoes and sliced red onion into a large bowl.
Add the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard and honey to a small bowl. Season with a little salt and black pepper.
1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, ½ tsp honey, salt, black pepper
Whisk the dressing until it becomes smooth and well combined.
Toss the rocket salad gently with the dressing. Avoid adding too much dressing, as the bacon and cheese already provide plenty of richness.
100 g rocket leaves, 8 large cherry tomatoes, ½ small red onion
Remove the bacon-wrapped cheese from the oven once the bacon is crisp and golden. Leave the parcels for a minute or two before serving.
Divide the dressed rocket salad between two plates. Arrange four warm bacon-wrapped cheese pieces on each plate.
Serve immediately while the bacon remains crisp and the cheese inside is warm and soft.

Equipment

Notes

Tips:

Use a cheese that softens without melting completely. Cheddar, halloumi or a firm farmhouse cheese can work well.
If the bacon does not stay wrapped, secure each parcel with a cocktail stick before cooking. Remember to remove the sticks before serving.
Keep the salad lightly dressed so the rocket stays fresh and crisp.
For extra flavour, add a few toasted nuts or seeds to the salad.
A little extra lemon juice in the dressing works particularly well against the richness of the bacon and cheese.

Serving Suggestion:

Serve Bacon Salad with warm crusty bread to soak up the delicious juices and dressing. For a more substantial meal, add a bowl of homemade potato wedges or some roasted vegetables on the side.

Nutrition