Chopped B.L.T. Caesar Salad

Hands down this Chopped B.L.T. Caesar Salad is THE best summer salad.

Your girlfriends will go bonkers for this!

The last two days have been pretty awesome.

Not only did I make this killer salad {twice}, but I got a LOT done around home.  We shipped the two older kids off to their grandparents for two days {I'll be meeting up with them this weekend} and the husband and I enjoyed some much needed quiet time.

Yes, our little 10 week old bundle was with us, but she is easy!  I used to think one child was hard when we just had one, but after you throw in two more one is a breeze.  We were basically on the road from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with various stops in between and I think she only fussed once for about 5 minutes.  She is such a happy baby.

So anyway, we dropped the kids off, got the hubs fitted for some new work uniforms, had appetizers and a drink for lunch, stopped by a good friend's house to catch up, then finished the trip off with dinner and ice cream.

And now today, I'm getting CRAP done around here.  Laundry, yard work and lots of cooking.  I went into the garden and snatched up some peppers, onions, tomatoes and jalapenos to make copy cat chili's salsa.  I'm also making a second batch of my Soft Baked Chocolate Chip Yogurt Cookies and I'm throwing together some bacon cheese puffs later for when my girlfriend comes over to hang out.

I would probably whip up this salad {again} for her but I'm out of lettuce.  Darn.  But, let me just say, this is the BEST SALAD I'VE EVER MADE.

And I'm not a fan of salads.  Yes, I eat them.  Yes, I like them.  But I'm not like some women who crave them.  I love a good one at a restaurant now and then, but sadly I don't make them too much at home.

But then this one happened.

I was eating a B.L.T. the other day for lunch and the thought popped into my head about a B.L.T. salad.  Simple right?  I didn't want to just dump ranch dressing on it.....I wanted something different.

How about Caesar?  Yep, that is what I did.

I made a homemade Caesar dressing, chopped up the lettuce really good, spun it with THIS salad spinner {essential} and then tossed it all together.  Even my 4.5 year old liked this {the bacon probably helped}.  It reminded me of a salad you'd order at a restaurant.

This is the perfect salad to feed a crowd as well.  This version uses a whole head of lettuce, but would feed at least 4-5 people.  Make it your meal, or serve it as a side.

Share this one with your friends, my dear readers, it is that good!  Creamy, yet has a bit of a kick, yet is smoky from the bacon.  Down right freakin' fabulous.