Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsCiao BellaBasic Blue Recipe

Basic Blue Recipe

Inspired by Ciao Bella
Time30m
Serves4

romaine, tomato, thick cut bacon, red onion, ciabatta croutons, blue cheese dressing

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Ingredients

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Salad Ingredients

Method

Preparation Steps

  1. 1

    Prepare the Ingredients

    Wash the romaine lettuce thoroughly under cold water. Shake off excess water and chop it into bite-sized pieces.

  2. 2

    Chop the Vegetables

    Dice the tomatoes and thinly slice the red onion. Set aside.

  3. 3

    Cook the Bacon

    In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the thick cut bacon until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Flip halfway through for even cooking. Remove from skillet and place on paper towels to drain excess grease. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into smaller pieces.

  4. 4

    Make Ciabatta Croutons

    Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut ciabatta bread into small cubes and spread them out on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake in the oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown, tossing halfway through.

  5. 5

    Assemble the Salad

    In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine, diced tomatoes, sliced red onion, crumbled bacon, and ciabatta croutons. Toss gently to mix the ingredients.

  6. 6

    Dress the Salad

    Drizzle the blue cheese dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well coated. Adjust the dressing amount to your preference.

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