Ingredients:

  • 120 g / ½ cup Mayonnaise (full fat, good quality recommended)
  • 1 clove Garlic, minced very finely
  • 2 Tbsp Fresh Chives, finely snipped
  • 1 Tbsp Fresh Dill, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)
  • Pinch Sea Salt and Black Pepper
  • 8 slices / 200 g Thick-cut Smoked Streaky Bacon
  • 1 Large Head Butterhead, Bibb, or Iceberg Lettuce
  • 1 Pint / 250 g Cherry Tomatoes, halved or quartered
  • Pinch Flaky Sea Salt

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Lettuce: Carefully rinse the lettuce and gently pat the leaves completely dry. Separate the head into individual, intact cups suitable for wrapping. Chill the prepared leaves in the fridge while you proceed—crisp lettuce is key!
  2. Chop Vegetables: Halve or quarter the cherry tomatoes and set aside.
  3. Mix the Aioli: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, minced garlic, chives, dill, and lemon juice. Season generously with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed (it should be bright and zingy).
  4. Cook the Bacon: Place the bacon slices in a cold frying pan (do not add oil). Turn the heat to medium-low and cook slowly, turning often, until the fat renders out and the slices are deeply golden brown and very crisp. (Optional: brush with maple syrup during the last 2 minutes of cooking).
  5. Drain and Cool: Remove the bacon and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease. Crucially, let the bacon cool for at least 5 minutes.
  6. Break Down the Bacon: Once cooled, roughly chop or crumble the crisp bacon into bite-sized pieces.
  7. Spread the Base: Remove the chilled lettuce cups. Lay them flat and smear a generous dollop of the Herb Aioli onto the base of each leaf.
  8. Layer the Tomatoes: Place a few halves of the cherry tomato (or a spoonful of diced tomato) on top of the spread. Sprinkle the tomato lightly with flaky sea salt (this helps their flavour pop).
  9. Top with Bacon: Finish by topping each wrap with a generous sprinkle of the crisp bacon pieces.
  10. Serve Immediately: Arrange the finished wraps on a platter and serve straight away while the lettuce is still crisp and cold.