BLT Salad

You can't know how great this salad is 'til you try it. (Just stating the obvious.)

BLT Salad

1 head romaine lettuce
3 Roma tomatoes
1 lb. bacon, fried crisp
1/2 a baguette, for croutons
olive oil, salt and pepper

Dressing:
4 T. bacon drippings
4 T. mayonnaise
1 T. sugar
1 T. red wine vinegar
1/4 C. chopped fresh basil
milk as needed to thin dressing

I like to cook the bacon on a cookie sheet in the oven, 400 degrees for about 20-25 minutes (don't forget to save the drippings). In the meantime, wash and tear the lettuce, wash and chop tomatoes, slice and cube the baguette for croutons. Toss baguette pieces with 1/4 C. olive oil, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper. After bacon is done, on another cookie sheet, spread baguette pieces and toast in oven for about 15 minutes. Cool. Crumble bacon, whisk together dressing ingredients, and toss all together. Serve immediately.