A house salad is a classic staple on any menu, perfect for a light meal or a side to any main course. The beauty of this house salad is the combination of fresh ingredients mixed with the savory bacon and roasted almonds, all topped with a zesty lemon dressing. This recipe is straightforward, and the result is an impressive and delicious salad.
Photos of Salad de Maison Recipe
All ingredients for this house salad recipe are commonly available in most supermarkets. However, since quality can vary drastically, especially for bacon, tomatoes, and cheeses, I suggest prioritizing these items. Opt for fresh, organically grown tomatoes and premium cuts of bacon. As for the Swiss cheese, it should be freshly grated to ensure that it melts well when combined with the warm ingredients.
Ingredients for the Classic House Salad Recipe
Almonds: Adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to your salad.
Bacon: Gives a savory and smoky touch that contrasts with the freshness of the other ingredients.
Romaine hearts: Crisp and slightly bitter, they provide a perfect base for the salad.
Grape tomatoes: These tiny tomatoes pack a sweet punch.
Swiss cheese: Melts well and adds a creamy texture and mild flavor.
Parmesan cheese: A strong, tangy cheese that brings a lot of depth to the salad.
Croutons: Add a great crunch and help to make the salad more filling.
Olive oil: Used for the dressing, it lends a rich and fruity flavor.
Lemon juice: Used in the dressing to give it a tangy kick.
Garlic: Adds a pungent, savory flavor that complements the other dressing ingredients.
Dijon mustard: Gives the dressing some heat and complexity.
Honey: Balances the acidity in the dressing with some natural sweetness.
One reader, Catharina Danner says:
This house salad recipe is a game-changer! The combination of crispy bacon, crunchy almonds, and tangy lemon dressing is simply divine. The flavors blend perfectly, and the dressing adds a refreshing zing. It's a hit with my family and has become a regular at our dinner table. Highly recommended!
Techniques Required for Making a House Salad
How to prepare the lemon dressing: In a jar, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Seal the jar and shake to blend the ingredients. If needed, stir up the honey if it sticks to the bottom of the jar. Chill the dressing in the refrigerator while preparing the rest of the recipe.
How to toast almonds: Spread almonds into an even layer on a small baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 6 to 10 minutes, tossing once halfway through toasting, until they are lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
How to cook bacon: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a rimmed 18x13-inch baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place bacon strips on the baking sheet in a single layer and bake for about 13 to 18 minutes, until browned and nearly crisp. The time will vary based on the thickness of the bacon. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and let it cool. Once cool, chop the bacon into small pieces.
How to assemble the salad: Rinse the lettuce under cold water and run it through a salad spinner in batches to dry well. Add the lettuce to a large serving bowl. Then, add in the toasted almonds, chopped bacon, grape tomatoes, Swiss cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
How to dress the salad: Shake the dressing again and pour it over the salad. Toss the salad to coat the ingredients with the dressing. Add the croutons and toss again. Serve the salad immediately.
How To Make The Best Salad
There’s magic in simplicity, and this salad de maison recipe proves that. It has lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, almonds, and cheese in a light lemon dressing.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1cupalmonds,slivered
- 10ozbacon,sliced
- 3large romaine hearts,chopped into bite size pieces
- 1pintgrape tomatoes,halved
- 1cupswiss cheese,(4 oz), shredded
- ½cupparmesan cheese,finely shredded
- 1½cupscroutons
For Lemon Dressing:
- ¾cuplight olive oil
- ¼cupfresh lemon juice
- 2clovesgarlic,minced
- 1tspdijon mustard
- 1½tsphoney
- ¾tspsalt,or to taste
- ½tspfreshly ground black pepper,to taste
Instructions
Dressing:
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Add olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, dijon and honey to a jar. Add salt and pepper. Cover and seal with lid, and shake to blend.
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If needed, stir up honey if it sticks to the bottom of the jar. Chill in the refrigerator while preparing the rest of the recipe.
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread almonds into an even layer on a small baking sheet.
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Bake in preheated oven for about 6 to 10 minutes, until just lightly golden brown, tossing once halfway through toasting. Remove from oven, set aside to cool.
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Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed 18×13-inch baking sheet with aluminum foil.
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Place bacon strips on baking sheet in a single layer. Bake in preheated oven for about 13 to 18 minutes, until browned and nearly crisp (time will vary based on thickness of bacon).
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Transfer bacon to a plate lined with paper towels and let cool. Once cool, chop bacon into small pieces.
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Rinse lettuce under cold water and run though a salad spinner in batches to dry well. Add lettuce to a large serving bowl.
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Add in almonds, bacon, tomatoes, Swiss cheese, and parmesan cheese.
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Shake dressing again then pour over salad, toss salad then add croutons and toss again. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
- Calories: 522.36kcal
- Fat: 45.41g
- Saturated Fat: 11.37g
- Trans Fat: 0.04g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 25.52g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 6.35g
- Carbohydrates: 15.27g
- Fiber: 4.99g
- Sugar: 4.68g
- Protein: 16.56g
- Cholesterol: 39.90mg
- Sodium: 571.32mg
- Calcium: 303.10mg
- Potassium: 566.41mg
- Iron: 2.28mg
- Vitamin A: 523.40µg
- Vitamin C: 12.33mg
Essential Technique Tip for Preparing House Salad
When toasting almonds, keep a close eye on them as they can easily burn. The moment they start releasing their nutty aroma and turn a light golden brown, they are done. Over-toasting can result in a bitter taste. Also, when preparing the bacon, lay the strips out flat on the baking sheet without overlapping. This ensures even cooking and crispiness. For the lettuce, using a salad spinner not only helps to dry the lettuce after washing but also keeps it crisp and fresh. Lastly, always add the croutons and dressing just before serving to prevent them from getting soggy.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing House Salad Recipe
Prep ahead: Chop vegetables, cook bacon, and toast almonds in advance to save time when assembling the salad.
Use pre-made dressing: If you're short on time, consider using a store-bought lemon vinaigrette to simplify the salad preparation.
Batch cooking: Cook a larger quantity of bacon and store the extra in the fridge for future use in salads, sandwiches, or other dishes.
Invest in a salad spinner: A salad spinner can help you quickly and efficiently dry the lettuce, saving time and effort during the preparation process.
Organize ingredients: Before you start assembling the salad, organize all the ingredients and tools you'll need to streamline the cooking process.
Multi-task: While the almonds are toasting in the oven, use that time to prepare other components of the salad to maximize efficiency.
Substitute Ingredients For Salad de Maison Recipe
almonds - Substitute with walnuts: Walnuts have a similar texture and nutty flavor, making them a suitable replacement for almonds in the salad.
bacon - Substitute with smoked turkey or tempeh bacon: Smoked turkey or tempeh bacon can provide a smoky flavor and a similar texture to traditional bacon, while offering a healthier alternative.
romaine hearts - Substitute with butter lettuce: Butter lettuce has a mild and slightly sweet flavor, similar to romaine, and its tender leaves make a great substitute for a house salad.
grape tomatoes - Substitute with cherry tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes are similar in size and flavor to grape tomatoes, making them a suitable replacement in the salad.
swiss cheese - Substitute with gouda cheese: Gouda cheese has a rich and nutty flavor similar to Swiss cheese, making it a delicious substitute in the salad.
parmesan cheese - Substitute with pecorino Romano cheese: Pecorino Romano cheese has a similar salty and tangy flavor to Parmesan, making it a great substitute for adding a savory kick to the salad.
croutons - Substitute with toasted pita chips: Toasted pita chips can provide a similar crunch and texture to croutons, adding a delicious element to the salad.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a mild flavor and a high smoke point, making it a suitable substitute for olive oil in the dressing.
lemon juice - Substitute with white wine vinegar: White wine vinegar can provide a tangy and acidic flavor similar to lemon juice, making it a good substitute in the dressing.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots can provide a mild onion flavor similar to garlic, adding a delicious depth to the dressing.
dijon mustard - Substitute with whole grain mustard: Whole grain mustard has a similar tangy and slightly spicy flavor to Dijon mustard, making it a great substitute in the dressing.
honey - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup can add a touch of sweetness similar to honey, providing a delicious balance of flavors in the dressing.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt has a similar level of salinity to table salt, making it a suitable substitute for seasoning the dressing.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder and slightly earthy flavor similar to black pepper, making it a good substitute for adding a subtle heat to the dressing.
Best Way to Present a House Salad
- Elevate the salad greens: Arrange the romaine hearts in a visually appealing manner, ensuring they are clean and vibrant.
- Create a bacon lattice: Weave the bacon into an intricate lattice pattern to add a touch of sophistication to the dish.
- Garnish with almond dust: Grind the toasted almonds into a fine dust and delicately sprinkle it over the salad for a subtle nutty flavor and elegant presentation.
- Incorporate tomato roses: Carefully carve the grape tomatoes into rose shapes to add a pop of color and artistry to the salad.
- Shave the cheese: Use a sharp knife to create thin, delicate shavings of Swiss and Parmesan cheese, arranging them gracefully on top of the salad.
- Artfully place croutons: Instead of simply tossing them in, strategically place the croutons around the salad to add texture and visual interest.
- Drizzle the lemon dressing: Use a squeeze bottle to drizzle the lemon dressing in a decorative pattern over the salad, ensuring each bite is perfectly dressed.
- Use edible flowers as a finishing touch: Add a few edible flowers, such as nasturtiums or pansies, to provide a stunning and unexpected visual element to the dish.
Essential Tools for Making a House Salad
- Food processor: A food processor is a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for chopping, slicing, shredding, and pureeing ingredients. It's great for making salad dressings, chopping nuts, or shredding cheese.
- Baking sheet: A baking sheet is a flat, rectangular metal pan used for baking and cooking food in the oven. It's essential for roasting almonds, baking bacon, and toasting croutons.
- Salad spinner: A salad spinner is a kitchen tool designed to wash and dry salad greens. It consists of a bowl with a removable strainer basket and a lid with a spinning mechanism to remove excess water from the greens.
- Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is a deep bowl used for mixing ingredients. It's essential for tossing the salad with the dressing and combining all the ingredients together.
- Jar: A jar is a cylindrical container with a lid, typically used for storing and shaking salad dressings. It's perfect for making and storing the lemon dressing for the salad.
Random Fact About House Salad
House salad is a versatile dish that can be customized with various ingredients such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, and proteins.
Is Making House Salad at Home Cost-Effective?
The house salad recipe is moderately cost-effective for a household. The use of bacon and cheese may increase the overall cost, but the versatility of the ingredients and the potential for leftovers can balance it out. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $25-$30. The recipe offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures, earning a solid 8/10 rating. The inclusion of almonds and a homemade lemon dressing elevates the salad, making it a worthy addition to any meal.
Is This Salad Recipe Healthy or Unhealthy?
This house salad recipe, while delicious, is not the healthiest option due to several high-calorie and high-fat ingredients. The bacon, Swiss cheese, Parmesan cheese, and croutons contribute significant amounts of saturated fat and sodium. Additionally, the dressing contains a substantial amount of oil, which increases the overall calorie count of the salad.
However, the salad does include some healthy components, such as romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, and almonds. Romaine lettuce is an excellent source of vitamins A and K, while tomatoes provide vitamin C and lycopene. Almonds offer healthy fats, fiber, and protein.
To make this salad healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Reduce the amount of bacon or replace it with a leaner protein like grilled chicken or turkey
- Use reduced-fat cheeses or smaller amounts of full-fat cheeses
- Opt for whole-grain croutons or omit them altogether
- Decrease the amount of oil in the dressing and increase the lemon juice for a lighter, tangier flavor
- Add more colorful vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or cucumbers to boost the nutrient content
By making these adjustments, you can create a more balanced and nutritious salad that still satisfies your taste buds. Remember, moderation is key, and even small changes can make a significant difference in the overall healthiness of a dish.
Editor's Thoughts on This House Salad Recipe
This house salad recipe is a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The blend of crispy bacon, crunchy almonds, and tangy cheeses adds depth to the fresh romaine and juicy tomatoes. The lemon dressing provides a refreshing and zesty finish, tying all the elements together beautifully. The recipe's balance of savory and citrusy notes makes it a versatile and satisfying dish that can stand alone as a light meal or complement a variety of main courses. It's a surefire way to elevate any dining experience with its vibrant and delicious appeal.
Enhance Your Salad de Maison Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Alternative Recipes Similar to House Salad
Appetizers and Desserts to Serve With House Salad
Why trust this Salad de Maison Recipe:
This recipe offers a delightful combination of fresh and flavorful ingredients, ensuring a satisfying and wholesome dining experience. The romaine hearts, grape tomatoes, and crunchy almonds provide a burst of freshness, while the savory bacon and rich Swiss cheese add depth to the salad. The homemade lemon dressing perfectly complements the ingredients, enhancing the overall taste. With a balance of textures and flavors, this recipe guarantees a delightful dining experience, making it a trustworthy choice for anyone seeking a delicious and nutritious salad.
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