Fresh from the pages of the June issue of Southern Living Magazine, I was not-so-patiently waiting for the arrival of heirloom tomatoes at our Farmers Market!
Assorted heirloom tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch slices
Fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch slices
Fresh basil leaves
4 – 6 bacon slices, coarsely chopped
3 to 4 Tbsp. red wine vinegar (I substituted 3 Tbsp. white balsamic vinegar)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
Arrange tomatoes and cheese on a serving platter, placing basil leaves among the slices. Sprinkle with desired amount of salt and pepper.
Saute bacon in a large skillet over medium heat 6 to 8 minutes or until crisp. Remove from heat, reserving bacon and 2 Tbsp. drippings in skillet. Let stand 1 minute. Add vinegar and oil, stirring to loosen browned bits from bottom of skillet. Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. kosher salt and 1/2 tsp. black pepper. Drizzle warm bacon mixture over tomatoes and cheese.
Serve immediately.
Notes: I cooked the bacon, removed it from the pan, draining it on paper towels and then sprinkled it over the salad to get an even distribution of bacon. Then I made the dressing in the pan with the reserved drippings to drizzle over the salad.
Your tomatoes are gorgeous Mary! And a little bacon never hurt anything… ya gotta love the pig:@) I’m sure everyone wishes they’re tomato cup runneth over-enjoy!
So gorgeous, so simple and sounds divine~my mom used to make bacon dressing like that for spinach salad and it was so good~I swear there are a lot of old recipes resurfacing these days~ Your platter of salad is mouthwatering and the tomato compositions you’ve created are works of art, it’s all really too pretty to eat!
Jenna
Mary, We love caprese salad and this variation sounds delicious! The tomatoes are gorgeous and so is the flowering basil. Your idea to substitute the balsamic for the red wine vinegar is excellent too. I’ll definitely be making this! Linda
You had me at hot bacon dressing and heirloom tomatoes….There is a “tomato farmer” about 2 miles from me and he just opened up his stand…so your recipes are perfect timing….beautiful table…exquisite photos!
I have not had a good tomato this summer yet but today we will be near a farm stand so I am getting some and making THIS!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG, I am drooling all over my keyboard!!!:) This looks fabulous and I am sure we will never go back to the classic either!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks!!!!!
Wow Mary, what a feast for the eyes you’ve prepared for us to enjoy! That could be a complete meal. It’s too beautiful, but I’d love a big serving. I’ll be out looking for some good tomatoes to make this. xo
How delicious and beautiful! Just sent the pin to my bacon-loving daughter, I’m sure this will be on both of our menus this week. Your photos are stunning, and so inspiring :)
Oh my goodness, Mary…my mouth is watering just looking at your photos!
For a split second, I thought you had a poached egg in there, but then realized it was the CHEESE! YUMMO!
We picked our first 2 tomatoes this week & had BLT’s…soooo good when they are fresh off the vine.
Thanks for sharing how you created this masterpiece!
Oh, YUM! We didn’t have time to plant a garden this year, but I bought some beautiful and delicious tomatoes from a friend last weekend. I’ve been enjoying them every day — and now I know another recipe I’m going to try. Thanks!
I just returned from a foodie trip to KY, and I came home with heirloom tomatoes. I’m making your recipe tonight. Hope you escaped the rain (though we sure needed it).
Your tomatoes are gorgeous Mary! And a little bacon never hurt anything… ya gotta love the pig:@) I’m sure everyone wishes they’re tomato cup runneth over-enjoy!
That caprese salad looks positively delish!
OMGoodness! AbFab!
So gorgeous, so simple and sounds divine~my mom used to make bacon dressing like that for spinach salad and it was so good~I swear there are a lot of old recipes resurfacing these days~ Your platter of salad is mouthwatering and the tomato compositions you’ve created are works of art, it’s all really too pretty to eat!
Jenna
Agreed, everything is better with bacon! Your photos are wonderful.
Mary, We love caprese salad and this variation sounds delicious! The tomatoes are gorgeous and so is the flowering basil. Your idea to substitute the balsamic for the red wine vinegar is excellent too. I’ll definitely be making this! Linda
You had me at hot bacon dressing and heirloom tomatoes….There is a “tomato farmer” about 2 miles from me and he just opened up his stand…so your recipes are perfect timing….beautiful table…exquisite photos!
I have not had a good tomato this summer yet but today we will be near a farm stand so I am getting some and making THIS!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG, I am drooling all over my keyboard!!!:) This looks fabulous and I am sure we will never go back to the classic either!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks!!!!!
Wow Mary, what a feast for the eyes you’ve prepared for us to enjoy! That could be a complete meal. It’s too beautiful, but I’d love a big serving. I’ll be out looking for some good tomatoes to make this. xo
How delicious and beautiful! Just sent the pin to my bacon-loving daughter, I’m sure this will be on both of our menus this week. Your photos are stunning, and so inspiring :)
I love fresh tomato season, and these dishes have my mouth watering, even at nine in the morning!
This is an awesome salad ! Love heirloom tomatoes. And of course the bacon! OMG!😊 Happy day!
That is one delicious looking salad! Bacon Caprese from now on!
Everything looks amazing!💙
What a gorgeous salad. Everything you make is absolutely stunning.
Sam
Gorgeous salad. I can taste it’s perfection.
Oh my goodness, Mary…my mouth is watering just looking at your photos!
For a split second, I thought you had a poached egg in there, but then realized it was the CHEESE! YUMMO!
We picked our first 2 tomatoes this week & had BLT’s…soooo good when they are fresh off the vine.
Thanks for sharing how you created this masterpiece!
Such gorgeous tomatoes and photos! I could devour this right now… excellent two twist on a fav~
Oh, YUM! We didn’t have time to plant a garden this year, but I bought some beautiful and delicious tomatoes from a friend last weekend. I’ve been enjoying them every day — and now I know another recipe I’m going to try. Thanks!
Ooh! Yum! Don’t we love fresh tomatoes! Love the colors and can just imagine the delicious flavors of all these recipes. :-)
This is my idea of yummy!
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
That looks delicious and the photo of the tomato centerpiece on the table with the coordinating plaid napkins is wonderful!!
It’s always a joy to visit, Mary. I’m making this for the big guy!
I saw the same recipe in Southern Living magazine! Beautiful table! I love the centerpiece! Very creative! Thanks for sharing…
Blessings My Friend,
Everything looks so delicious!
I can’t wait to try a few of your recipes!
Thanks so much for sharing,
Suzanne
This looks sooooo good and I must make it and am featuring it this week.
Just reading this makes my mouth water. This is going on the menu next week.
Madonna
MakeMineLemon
Beautiful, looks absolutely delicious. Blessings, Catherine
I just returned from a foodie trip to KY, and I came home with heirloom tomatoes. I’m making your recipe tonight. Hope you escaped the rain (though we sure needed it).
Yum!! I’m going to have to try this ASAP!
I love caprese everything! Adding bacon, which makes everything better, is just genius! Pinned and making soon!