Is there anything more delightfully retro—and yet timeless—than a classic wedge salad? It’s like a throwback to a simpler era when iceberg lettuce was king, and everything was draped in a creamy, tangy blue cheese dressing. I remember my grandma whipping one up for special dinners, the crunch of the lettuce contrasting with the savory-sweetness of bacon bits. These days, it feels like a miniature celebration on a plate, a mix of textures and flavors that somehow makes even a Tuesday dinner feel extravagant.
Steps
- Prepare the blue cheese dressing by mixing all the ingredients in a bowl. Then, refrigerate the mixture for at least 30 minutes, or make it a few days ahead for convenience.
- Cook the bacon until it is crispy, then place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces.
- Slice the iceberg lettuce in half vertically, then cut each half into quarters or thirds, depending on the size of the lettuce, to form wedges.
- Arrange each lettuce wedge on a separate plate. Drizzle the blue cheese dressing over the wedges generously.
- Sprinkle the crumbled bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped red onion, and blue cheese crumbles over the dressed lettuce wedges. Add freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Optional: Enhance the salad with additional toppings like avocado, cucumber, olives, or croutons for extra flavor and texture. Other cheese varieties or proteins like grilled chicken can also be included.
Ingredients
- 1 head of iceberg lettuce
- 8 slices of bacon, cooked, cooled, and crumbled
- 1 1/2 cups of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup of red onion, chopped
- Blue cheese crumbles (quantity as desired)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- Optional: toasted pecans or walnuts
FAQ
- How do I prepare the iceberg lettuce for a wedge salad?
- Start by taking a whole head of iceberg lettuce and cutting it in half from top to bottom. Then, cut each half again to create four quarters. Rinse each piece and gently shake off any excess water before storing in the refrigerator.
- What are some alternative toppings for a wedge salad?
- You can enhance your wedge salad with options like avocado, cucumber, olives, beets, croutons, or different cheese varieties such as parmesan, mozzarella, or feta. For added texture, consider nuts like pecans or walnuts, and proteins like grilled chicken or steak.
- Can the blue cheese dressing be made in advance?
- Yes, the blue cheese dressing can be prepared up to a week in advance. Just mix all the ingredients in a bowl, stir well, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- What main dishes pair well with a wedge salad?
- A wedge salad is versatile and can be served as a side with dishes like braised short ribs, penne alla vodka, or chicken piccata.
- How do you prevent iceberg lettuce from browning?
- To keep your iceberg lettuce fresh, store it in the refrigerator on a paper towel-lined plate or in a bag with a paper towel to absorb moisture. If the outer edges start to brown, simply cut them away.
Tips
- Prepare the Blue Cheese Dressing in Advance: For enhanced flavor, mix all the ingredients for the blue cheese dressing and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving. You can even make it up to a week in advance to save time on the day of preparation.
- Properly Cut and Store the Lettuce: When preparing the iceberg lettuce, cut it into quarters from top to stem. Rinse and dry the quarters thoroughly, then store them in the refrigerator on a paper towel-lined plate or in a bag with a paper towel. This helps maintain freshness for up to 1-2 weeks.
- Customize with Additional Toppings: Personalize your wedge salad by adding toppings like avocado, cucumber, olives, or nuts. You can also experiment with different cheese varieties or substitute the blue cheese dressing with creamy parmesan or Caesar dressing.
- Add Protein for a Heartier Salad: Enhance your wedge salad by incorporating grilled chicken or steak, making it a more filling option suitable for a main course.
Equipment
- Salad Spinner – Useful for thoroughly rinsing and drying the iceberg lettuce.
- Chef’s Knife – Essential for cutting the iceberg lettuce into wedges and chopping other ingredients like onions and tomatoes.
- Cutting Board – Important for preparing the vegetables and bacon.
- Mixing Bowl – Needed for combining and mixing the blue cheese dressing ingredients.
- Skillet – Used for cooking the bacon until crisp.
- Serving Plates – For presenting the individual wedge salads.
