Baby Gem Lettuce Salad

Ingredients

• 3 baby gem lettuce ((aka little gem lettuce), leaves separated, washed and dried (Note 1))
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (, cut in half (or grape tomatoes, or 2 regular tomatoes cut into bite size pieces))
• 1/2 eschalot ((US: shallot), finely diced (Note 2))
• 1 1/2 tbsp chives (, finely chopped)
• 1 quantity Creamy French Dressing
• 1 cup white bread like baguette (, ciabatta, sourdough, cut into 1cm / 0.4" cubes - preferably stale (Note 3))
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Pinch of cooking salt / kosher salt

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 200°C / 390°F (180°C fan-forced).

2. 2

   Toss the bread with the oil and salt. Spread on a tray and bake for 10 minutes, tossing once halfway.

3. 3

   Cool on the tray before using. (These will keep for weeks in an airtight container in the pantry).

4. 4

   Place all the lettuce leaves in a large bowl.

5. 5

   Add half of each the tomatoes, croutons, chives and eschalots. Drizzle with half the dressing then gently toss with your hands.

6. 6

   Pour into a serving bowl or pile on a platter. Scatter the remaining tomatoes, croutons, chives and eschalots across the top, then drizzle with the remaining dressing. Serve!