Recipe: Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, and Cheese Salad with Lemon-Garlic Dressing (serves 2)

BACON, LETTUCE, TOMATO, AND CHEESE SALAD

"Everyone's favorite sandwich, without the bread - this is a satisfying lunch treat."

10 smoked bacon slices
FOR THE DRESSING:
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon snipped chives
1 tablespoon water
Salt and pepper to taste
FOR THE SALAD:
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 pound cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
1 head Romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces

In a skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Drain the bacon on paper towels, then crumble.

In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, lemon juice, mayonnaise, chives, 1 tablespoon water, and salt and pepper.

In a large bowl toss together the onion, tomatoes, cheese, lettuce, half of the bacon, and enough of the prepared dressing to coat. Serve the salad on a platter and top with the remaining bacon.

VARIATIONS ON AN OLD FAVORITE:
BLTs can still be a favorite (when eating low-carb). Use Farmer's Market ripe tomatoes, scoop out the seeds and inner membrane and fill with a mixture of crispy chopped bacon, fine diced tomatoes, and chopped lettuce lightly dressed with mayonnaise. Top with blue cheese crumbles if desired and serve on a bed of crispy greens- you'll never miss the bread. One medium whole tomato contains about 5 grams of carbohydrates and is loaded with vitamin C as well as potassium and other minerals.

Makes 2 servings
Source: Everything Low-Carb Cookbook by Patricia M. Butkus