Crisp lettuce hearts with a hot bacon, maple syrup and garlic dressing

Method

1. Remove any tough leaves from the lettuce hearts, trim the bases, then cut each one lengthways through the stem into quarters. Place side-by-side, cut-side up, on a large serving dish or individual plates.
2. Whisk the maple syrup, mustard and sherry vinegar in a small bowl, then gradually whisk in 3 tbsp of the olive oil, the salt and some black pepper to make a dressing.
3. Put the remaining olive oil into a frying pan and heat over a medium-high heat. When hot, add the bacon pieces and stir-fry for about 3 minutes until crisp and lightly golden.
4. Lower the heat slightly, stir in the garlic and leave to sizzle fora few seconds until the garlic starts to colour. Add the maple syrup dressing and heat until it’s bubbling. Spoon the hot dressing and bacon bits over the lettuce wedges and serve straightaway.