TGIF y’all from the Hungry Southern Belle house!  Let me just tell y’all that the recipe I’m about to post will change your life!  Ok…so maybe it’s not that momentous but it was DELICIOUS!  When I’m looking for new recipes to test out, I always keep an eye out for ones that allow Riche to have some of his favorite foods but still keeping with my healthy eating goals.  So instead of a heavy pasta dish, I’ll find a recipe with an amazing sauce but serve it over zucchini noodles or something with less carb intensive amounts like the Lemon Orzo Chicken Salad from this week. In the case of this recipe, Riche LOVES cheeseburgers. Bacon Cheeseburgers to be exact.  While I love a good burger too, I don’t always want to make the splurge in eating a big burger with a bun etc. etc.  So when I found this recipe for a Bacon Cheeseburger Salad (recipe courtesy of www.closetcooking.com), I figured it was worth a try.  Boy was that a good choice!  This salad was AWESOME!  I don’t know that I can fit into this post all of the praise that Riche had while having second and perhaps even third helpings (who am I to judge!!?!)  Ha!  In all seriousness though, this is a great option heading into the weekend for any of you planning on a good old fashioned BBQ.  Delight your friends with this fantastic salad that tastes JUST like the real thing!  Enjoy y’all!  (Oh…and did I mention that it is served with a housemade BACON VINAIGRETTE?????  Yes… I went there!)

Bacon Cheeseburger Salad

(serves 4)

Ingredients:

For the burger seasoned beef:
6 strips bacon
1 small onion, diced
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 pound ground beef
1/3 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper or steak seasoning to taste

For the bacon vinaigrette:
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons warm bacon grease
2 tablespoons bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1 small clove garlic, finely chopped
salt and pepper to taste
For the salad:
6 cups lettuce
1 cup tomato, diced
1/4 cup onion, sliced
1/4 cup pickle, diced
1/2 cup cheddar, shredded
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted

Instructions:

For the burger seasoned beef:

Cook the bacon, set aside on paper towels to drain and crumble when cool, reserving the grease.
Add the onion to the pan along with some of the reserved grease and saute until tender, about 3-5 minutes, over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about a minute.
Add the ground beef and cook draining any grease when done. Mix in the ketchup, mustard, worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper, simmer to reduce, and set aside.

For the dressing:
Add the vinegar to the pan, deglaze it, add crumbled bacon and grease, sugar, mustard, garlic, season with salt and pepper and remove from heat.

For the salad:
Assemble the salad, toss in dressing and enjoy!