Fig Salad with Bacon, No Dressing Needed

Last week, I walked out to our courtyard and saw a very ripe fig growing on it’s tree. I picked the fig, rinsed and enjoyed every bite. For several days, all I could think about was eating more figs. 

On my grocery run I decided to make a fig salad with some of my favorite ingredients, bacon, tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese and romaine lettuce.

This Fig Salad with Bacon – No Dressing was super simple to make and filled with layers of flavor. First, I rinsed all the fruits and vegetables. Then, chopped the romaine lettuce and placed it in a very large bowl.

Next I added diced red onion.

I then chopped a few tomatoes I picked from my garden. I only had three left, but it worked.

My favorite part came after the tomatoes. I sliced the figs into quarters, then placed them around the salad perimeter. 

Last but certainly not least, I crumbled up the feta and bacon, then sprinkled them on top of the salad. 

The next part is counter intuitive to many people. I did not put any type of dressing on this Fig Salad with Bacon, no dressing needed. Why?

Several years ago I spent a month in Costa Rica. Wherever I ate, whether a private residence or restaurant, everyone served salad on the side of each meal. Next to the salad was always a slice or two of lime. The first time I squeezed that lime onto the bed of mixed greens and took a bite, my salad life changed. I haven’t looked back.

Since that moment I usually squeeze fresh lemon or lime on my salads. Not only do I enjoy the flavor more, but I actually feel better after eating salad this way. 

For anyone who feels that they cannot eat a salad without dressing, try drizzling a bit of balsamic vinegar on top, it would go well with all these particular ingredients. Or, whisk together some olive oil, red wine vinegar, sea salt and black pepper. Pour that over, but not too much. The dressing can take away from the individual and collective salad ingredients. 

As for me, I enjoyed my Fig Salad with Bacon, with no dressing along side my favorite Tara’s Teas blend, Mint-Infused Oolong. Yum!

Fig Salad with Bacon – No Dressing

Ingredients:

1 Bunch of Romaine Lettuce

2 Slices red onion

1 Small tomato or 4-5 cherry tomatoes

4-5 Ripe figs

2-3 Slices of bacon

1/4c Feta cheese

Directions:

Rinse all fruits and vegetables and set aside. Carefully fry the bacon and drain on a paper towel.

Using a solid surface, like a cutting board, chop the romaine into small, bite-sized pieces, then put it into a large bowl. 

Dice the red onion and tomatoes, then add them to the romaine. 

Slice the figs lengthwise in half, then again into quarter pieces. You can either put them on top, or around the inside of the bowl, like in the picture above.

Crumble the feta cheese and bacon, then sprinkle them on top. 

Serve and enjoy!

This salad can either yield 4 small side salad servings, or two medium servings. Unless you are like me, one large serving makes for a filling lunch.