Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe

Iceberg lettuce: A crisp and refreshing lettuce that forms the base of the salad.

Blue cheese dressing: A creamy and tangy dressing that adds richness to the salad.

Cherry tomatoes: Sweet and juicy tomatoes that add a burst of color and flavor.

Red onion: Thinly sliced for a sharp and pungent contrast.

Bacon bits: Smoky and savory bits that add a crunchy texture.

Blue cheese crumbles: Creamy and tangy cheese that enhances the overall flavor.

To achieve the perfect wedge salad, ensure your iceberg lettuce is fresh and crisp. Before cutting, remove any wilted outer leaves and rinse the head under cold water. Dry it thoroughly using a salad spinner or by patting it with a clean towel. When slicing the lettuce into wedges, use a sharp knife to make clean cuts, which will help maintain the structure of each wedge. This technique ensures that the blue cheese dressing and toppings adhere well to the surface, providing a delightful crunch with every bite.

• Iceberg lettuce - Substitute with romaine lettuce: Romaine offers a similar crisp texture and can hold up well to the dressing, providing a slightly more robust flavor.

• Blue cheese dressing - Substitute with ranch dressing: Ranch dressing provides a creamy texture and tangy flavor, though it is milder than blue cheese.

• Cherry tomatoes - Substitute with grape tomatoes: Grape tomatoes have a similar sweetness and juiciness, making them a perfect alternative.

• Red onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder onion flavor and add a touch of sweetness, which can balance the salad's flavors.

• Bacon bits - Substitute with turkey bacon: Turkey bacon provides a similar smoky flavor and crispy texture with less fat.

• Blue cheese crumbles - Substitute with feta cheese: Feta cheese offers a tangy and creamy texture, though it is less pungent than blue cheese.

• Begin by removing the bacon bits and blue cheese crumbles from the wedge salad. These ingredients are best added fresh after reheating to maintain their texture and flavor.

• Gently warm the iceberg lettuce wedges in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds on a low setting. This will take the chill off without wilting the lettuce. Be cautious not to overheat, as lettuce can become soggy.

• Alternatively, if you prefer a slightly crispier texture, place the lettuce wedges on a baking sheet and warm them in an oven preheated to 200°F (93°C) for about 5 minutes. This method helps maintain the structure of the lettuce.

• Once the lettuce is warmed, reassemble the salad by drizzling the blue cheese dressing over the wedges. Add the cherry tomatoes, red onion, and freshly added bacon bits and blue cheese crumbles.

• For an extra touch of freshness, consider adding a few more cherry tomatoes and a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper to enhance the flavors.

• Chef's knife: Essential for cutting the iceberg lettuce into wedges and slicing the red onion thinly.

• Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for cutting the lettuce and other ingredients.

• Measuring cups: Useful for accurately measuring the blue cheese dressing, cherry tomatoes, bacon bits, and blue cheese crumbles.

• Mixing bowl: Handy for tossing the cherry tomatoes and red onion together if you prefer them mixed before topping the salad.

• Serving plates: Used to present each wedge salad individually.

• Spoon: Ideal for drizzling the blue cheese dressing over the lettuce wedges.

• Tongs: Helpful for placing the lettuce wedges onto the plates and arranging the toppings neatly.

Prep ingredients in advance: Wash and slice the cherry tomatoes and red onion ahead of time. Cook and crumble the bacon earlier in the day.

Use store-bought dressing: Opt for a quality blue cheese dressing from the store to save time on making it from scratch.

Pre-cut lettuce: Purchase pre-cut iceberg lettuce wedges if available, or cut the entire head at once and store the wedges in the fridge.

Assemble just before serving: Keep all components ready and assemble the wedge salad just before serving to maintain freshness and crunch.