BLT Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 350 g of spiral pasta (fusilli)
• 0.5 cups of milk
• 350 gr. lean bacon
• 3 medium ripe tomatoes, cut into pieces
• 1 tbsp chopped thyme
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 0.5 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 4 tablespoons chopped green onions or chives
• 5 heads Bibb lettuce, quartered, or 5 cups chopped romaine lettuce hearts

Preparation:

1. In a large saucepan of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain, transfer the pasta to a large bowl, and toss with the milk.
2. Meanwhile, fry the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, then transfer to paper towels to drain. Leave only 3 tablespoons of fat in the skillet; discard the rest.
3. Add the tomatoes, thyme, and garlic to the pan and stir until warmed through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Crumble the bacon into small pieces; set aside 1/4 cup for serving. Toss the remaining bacon and tomato mixture with the pasta.
4. Mix mayonnaise, sour cream, and 3 tablespoons of green onions into the paste. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the lettuce leaves and toss again. Sprinkle with bacon and the remaining green onions. Serve the salad at room temperature.