BACON, ARUGULA, TOMATO AND ROASTED CORN SALAD

Bacon, Arugula, Tomato and Roasted Corn Salad image

Provided by Cooking Channel

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

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3 thick slices bacon, cut crosswise into lardons (1/2-inch chubby pieces)
3 ears corn, shucked
2 pounds mixed colors and sizes heirloom tomatoes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 healthy-size sprig fresh thyme
4 teaspoons white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 cups baby arugula or other baby lettuces (about 8 ounces)

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Put the bacon in a small skillet and cook over medium heat until rendered and just crisp and not black, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel to drain. Reserve some of the bacon fat.
Brush the corn lightly with the bacon fat and put on a baking sheet. Roast the corn, turning once or twice, until the some of the kernels get a little burnished, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool. (Alternatively, the corn can be cooked on a hot grill for about 10 minutes).
Dice and chunk up the tomatoes - it's kind of great if they aren't all uniform. Put the pieces into a big salad bowl and season with salt and pepper. Don't be shy - tomatoes come alive with salt and pepper. Strip the leaves off the thyme sprigs right into the tomatoes. Toss together lightly and set aside to get juicy.
Whisk the vinegar, mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt and some pepper in bowl. Gradually whisk in the olive oil to make a smooth dressing.
Slice the kernels off the cobs add to the salad with the bacon. Add the arugula, season with salt and pepper and toss lightly to combine. Serve.