Crunchy BLT salad with crispy croutons

"I love the idea of turning my favorite sandwiches into salads. Especially on slightly warmer days, when I’m craving something lighter but still want to feel full. That’s exactly what’s often missing from salads, but this one has both: it’s fresh and genuinely satisfying. It has everything you love about a classic BLT. Salty, crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, crunchy lettuce, and a creamy dressing that feels a bit fresher than the sandwich version, thanks to some lemon and mustard. The croutons get perfectly crisp in the oven, so there’s no need to worry about soggy bread. One of my favorite things about this recipe is that most of it happens in the oven. Baking bacon is my go-to method: it cooks evenly, you can make a bigger batch, and it keeps your kitchen smoke-free. And since the tray is already in the oven, the croutons go in right after. Because they’re toasted in the rendered bacon fat, they pick up so much flavor, so go a little lighter on the salt at first. While the bacon and bread are baking, you can prep the salad and dressing. For me, this is the perfect lunch salad, but it also works great as part of a BBQ spread – and definitely won’t be the last sandwich I turn into a salad."