Lettuce, Bacon and cherry tomato salad with aioli dressing!

 
 Erin go Braugh, is an Irish phrase, and is used to express allegiance to Ireland! It is most often translated as "Ireland Forever." If you're out and about on St. Patrick's Day, you can greet your friends with this Irish phrase!

 Today, I am offering a green salad for those of us who can't go a day without some leafy greens and colorful vegetables. Wee Bear say's I am part rabbit!!

Lettuce, Bacon, and Cherry Tomato Salad 

with a simple Aioli Dressing

6-8 slices of applewood-smoked bacon

12 c. of your favorite greens, I like spring mix or arugula

10 ounces yellow and red cherry tomatoes, and/or pear tomatoes, halved

1 garlic clove, pressed

3 T. mayonnaise

1 1/2 T. white wine vinegar

Fresh ground pepper and salt

Cook bacon in large skillet over medium heat until crisp; transfer to paper towels. Crumble bacon coarsely. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon drippings from skillet; reserve skillet.

Place lettuce and tomatoes in large serving bowl. Heat bacon drippings in skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, then mayonnaise and vinegar; whisk until well blended. Season dressing with salt and freshly ground pepper. Pour over greens and tomatoes and toss to coat. Sprinkle bacon over.

Serves 8

After writing yesterday's blog, I was thinking about my childhood. Growing up on a farm, with cows, horses, steers, pigs, chickens, ducks, dogs, cat and I think my parents even had a goat at one point. I grew up with two older brothers, who loved to make eggnog, with farm fresh eggs and milk, that my Mom pasteurized. We had several small appliances on the counter top, but one stands out in my mind, the  milk shake machine. Everyday, they would make fresh eggnog and milkshakes using this old machine. Great memories! My brother still has and uses this antique milkshake machine.

Cheers!
JJ