Spinach Salad with Bacon, Tomato, Avocado and Ranch Dressing
Makes 4 servings

You can make this salad even more delish by adding chopped hard cooked eggs and a few shavings of red onion. It goes great with a steak or simply cooked chicken.

1 10 oz. package washed baby spinach
1 large ripe tomato, cut into thin wedges
1 ripe California avocado, pitted, peeled and cut into thin wedges
1/2 lb. bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
2 Tbsp. whole, roasted unsalted peanuts (optional)
1/2 cup Ranch dressing, recipe below

In a large bowl, place the spinach, then tomato, avocado, bacon and the optional peanuts. Pour the dressing over the salad, toss well and serve.

Per serving, without peanuts
Total calories: 334
Carbs: 7.5
Fiber: 3.5
ECC: 4
Fat: 32
Protein: 7.25

Per serving, with peanuts
Total calories: 361
Carbs: 8.25
Fiber: 3.75
ECC: 4.5
Fat: 34
Protein: 8.5

Ranch Dressing
Makes approximately 2 cups

Why buy when you can make a dressing that tastes this good?

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 Tbsp. white vinegar
3/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
a few dashes of Tabasco sauce
2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. dried basil
2 Tbsp. finely chopped green onion tops

Whisk all of the ingredients together until smooth. Store covered and refrigerated.

Per tablespoon:
Total calories: 65.5
Carbs: 0.68
Fiber: .03
ECC: 0.65
Fat: 55.75
Protein: 0.34

This is a well-deserved winner -- simple and tasty. I have a question about the buttermilk, though. I find only ultra-pasteurized buttermilk in my grocery stores (even the natural foods stores). I've made my own soured milk before, but the taste is inferior to the commercial buttermilk. Can you suggest a way, starting with raw milk, to make a superior tasting buttermilk?

Embarressing question.

How do you make bacon that crumbles? I have a low wattage microwave and the bacon comes out like beef jerky but the fat hasn't melted. When I try to do it on the stove it browns and the fat is still there.
Help!

Thanks! I'm happy to see that someone tried it.

Probably the best way to make buttermilk is to begin with a starter. The site here sells it. And here is an explanation on developing a starter from store-bought buttermilk.

Have you tried a natural foods store for a better buttermilk? Some of them sell the starters for kefir as well as buttermilk.

Karen

You have to cook it in a frying pan over very low heat, pouring off the fat occasionally. Don't overcrowd the pan. For a large quantity, lay the strips out on a rimmed baking sheet without overlapping and cook at 350F, pouring off the fat occasionally until browned and crisp.

Drain it on paper towels and by the time it cools it sould be crisp. If you use and extra thick-cut bacon, it may be harder to render the fat so thinner bacon is better.

Karen

thanks-can't wait to try the recipe!

With the effects of the power outage, I'm not sure WHEN I'm going to be able to find organic buttermilk. It's normally hard to find as it is. I may not be able to try it for the end of the month, but I'll try it when I can get the ingredients. It looks fabulous!!!!

Wanda

Recipe sounds good...one question...how long will the Ranch Dressing keep?
TIA
Debbie

Lisa - I am from Michigan also. Can you purchase these Keto products in a retail store, or they a mail order product. I see them advertised, and that people are using them so I wonder if I could get them at a health food store or just on-line.

At least 3 weeks.

Karen

Karen,
Thanks for the reply