Ingredients

• 1 head butter lettuce, washed, spun dry and torn or cut into bite-size pieces
• 1/2 head red leaf lettuce, washed, spun dry and torn or cut into bite-size pieces
• 3/4 cup Ranch Dressing, recipe follows
• 1 cup Croutons, recipe follows
• 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in 1/2
• 2 ripe avocados, halved, pitted and flesh diced
• 2 pieces bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled

Directions

Ranch Dressing:

• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 3 tablespoons freshly chopped chives
• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped Italian parsley leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar

Croutons:

• 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for sprinkling
• 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 2 teaspoons garlic paste, (2 cloves garlic smashed with the flat side of a knife and a sprinkle of salt, to make paste)
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 cups cubed stale Italian bread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes