Bacon Caprese Salad

By CheeseDiva

Ingredients

• 3 ⁄4 lb. bacon, diced and crisped, fat reserved
• 1 ⁄2 cup chopped celery
• 1 ⁄2 cup honey
• 1 ⁄2 cup rice vinegar
• 1 ⁄2 cup sliced shallots
• 1 ⁄4 cup roasted garlic
• 1 1⁄4 tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 ⁄2 tbsp. dijon mustard
• 1 ⁄4 cup canola oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• FOR THE SALAD
• 1 lb. fresh mozzarella, halved crosswise and thinly sliced
• 4 heirloom tomatoes, cut into wedges
• 1 tbsp. fresh marjoram leaves

Preparation

Step 1

Make the vinaigrette: In a large food processor, process 1⁄2 lb. bacon, celery, honey, vinegar, shallots, garlic, lemon juice, and mustard until smooth. With the processor running, slowly add oil and the reserved bacon fat; season with salt and pepper.
Make the salad: Combine mozzarella, tomatoes, and marjoram; season with salt and pepper and drizzle with vinaigrette. Garnish with remaining bacon.