Chop Salad with Corn, Snap Peas, and Bacon

From inthekitchenwithkath.com

Adapted from a Tom Douglas recipe in Tom’s Big Dinners

Serves 8

½ pound bacon (about 5 slices of thick bacon)

6 ounces sugar snap peas (1½ cups), strings removed, cut in half on a diagonal

1½ cups fresh corn kernels (about 2 ears)

1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into ¼-inch dice

1 medium carrot, peeled and grated

½ medium red bell pepper, cut into ¼-inch dice

½ bunch radishes, thinly sliced (about ½ cup)

½ bunch green onions, thinly sliced (about ¾ cup)

½ pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half

½ head romaine lettuce (about 4 cups after it's chopped)

1 cup fresh basil leaves (about 1 ounce), cut into thin strips (optional, I didn’t use)

½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional, I didn’t use)

Mustard Vinaigrette

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 2 cloves)

½ cup olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium-low heat. Drain on paper towels and chop into small pieces.

2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and have a bowl of ice water ready. When the water’s boiling, add a bit of salt and the sugar snap peas and corn. Cook for 1 minute, then drain and put the peas and corn in the ice water for a few minutes. Drain the peas and corn and set aside. (I spread them out on a paper towel-lined baking sheet to help them dry out.)

3. Make the vinaigrette. Put the vinegar, lemon juice, mustard and garlic in a bowl. Whisk together while slowly pouring in the olive oil so it emulsifies. (Or do as I did and shake it all up in a Blender Bottle if you have one.) Season to taste with salt and pepper.

4. When ready to serve, chop the lettuce and put it in a bowl. Add the peas, corn, cucumber, carrot, red pepper, radishes, green onions, tomatoes, and basil if using. Toss with the vinaigrette. If using cheese, then toss in the cheese. Put the salad in a serving bowl and sprinkle the bacon over the top.