Recipe to Try: BLT salad

Going off of Camby's meal suggestions, this BLT salad recipe sounds like a good mix between salad and sandwich. It would be good meal for entertaining in the next few weeks when we finally get some good tomatoes.

INGREDIENTS
1 (6-ounce) slab bacon
2 cups ciabatta or other country-style bread (such as sourdough batard), cut into large dice
6 ounces spinach, torn into bite-size pieces
1 pound heirloom tomatoes, cut into large dice
2 shallots, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning the croutons
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons good-quality balsamic vinegar

INSTRUCTIONS
1) Place bacon in the freezer for at least 5 minutes to firm up (this will make it easier to cut).
2) Heat a large frying pan or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Remove bacon from the freezer and cut into 1/2-inch slices. Cut each slice into lardons (1/2-inch-by-1-1/2-inch pieces). Line a plate with several layers of paper towels; set aside.
3) Add lardons to the pan and cook, stirring rarely, until browned and most of the fat has been rendered, about 10 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to the paper-towel-lined plate and let cool.
4) Remove half of the bacon fat to a heatproof bowl and reserve. Return the pan to medium heat, add bread, and toss to coat in bacon fat. Cook, stirring frequently, until bread is toasted and lightly browned but not hard to the touch, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the paper-towel-lined plate with the bacon, and season croutons with kosher salt.
5) In a large bowl, toss together bacon, croutons, spinach, and tomatoes; set aside.
6) Return the pan to the stove over medium heat and add reserved bacon fat. Add shallots, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper, and sauté until shallots are just tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in vinegar, scraping the pan with a spatula to incorporate any browned bits into the dressing. Remove from heat and drizzle dressing over salad, toss to combine, and season with more salt and pepper as necessary.