ROASTED VIDALIA ONION, CHERRY TOMATO, AND BACON SALAD

Roasted Vidalia Onion, Cherry Tomato, and Bacon Salad image

Yield Serves 6

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 Vidalia onions (about 2 pounds, available seasonally at specialty produce markets and some supermarkets), peeled
2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
6 slices of lean bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
1/3 cup minced fresh basil or parsley leaves
1 large garlic clove, minced and mashed to a paste with 1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil

Steps:

Season the onions with salt and pepper, wrap them individually in foil, and bake them in the middle of a preheated 350°F. oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until they are tender. Let the onions cool in the foil and discard the foil. Chop the onions coarse, discarding the root ends, and in a bowl toss them with the tomatoes, the bacon, and the basil. In a small bowl whisk together the garlic paste, the vinegars, and salt and pepper to taste, add the oil in a stream, whisking, and whisk dressing until it is emulsified. Pour the dressing over the salad, toss the salad well, and serve it, chilled or room temperature, with grilled chicken or beef.