Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe

Iceberg lettuce: Provides the crisp and refreshing base for the salad.

Bacon: Adds a savory and crunchy element to the dish.

Cherry tomatoes: Brings a burst of sweetness and color to the salad.

Mayonnaise: Forms the creamy base of the blue cheese dressing.

Sour cream: Adds tanginess and richness to the dressing.

Blue cheese: The star ingredient of the dressing, providing a bold and tangy flavor.

Lemon juice: Adds a fresh, zesty note to the dressing.

Garlic: Enhances the flavor of the dressing with its aromatic qualities.

Salt: Balances the flavors in the dressing.

Pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the dressing.

When preparing the iceberg lettuce, make sure to remove the core by cutting a small cone-shaped piece from the bottom. This will help the quarters hold their shape better. For the blue cheese dressing, allow the blue cheese to come to room temperature before mixing; this ensures it blends smoothly with the mayonnaise and sour cream. To achieve a perfectly balanced flavor, taste the dressing and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. When cooking the bacon, aim for a crispy texture to add a delightful crunch to the salad. Finally, use a sharp knife to halve the cherry tomatoes cleanly, preventing them from squishing and losing their juices.

• iceberg lettuce - Substitute with romaine lettuce: Romaine lettuce provides a similar crunch and can hold up well to the dressing.

• cooked and crumbled bacon - Substitute with turkey bacon: Turkey bacon is a leaner option that still offers a similar smoky flavor and crispy texture.

• halved cherry tomatoes - Substitute with grape tomatoes: Grape tomatoes are slightly sweeter but have a similar size and texture.

• mayonnaise - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt provides a creamy texture with added protein and less fat.

• sour cream - Substitute with plain yogurt: Plain yogurt offers a similar tangy flavor and creamy consistency.

• crumbled blue cheese - Substitute with feta cheese: Feta cheese has a tangy and salty flavor that can mimic the bold taste of blue cheese.

• freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar provides a similar acidity and tanginess.

• minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in a pinch and provides a similar garlicky flavor.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a direct replacement and offers a slightly different mineral content.

• pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder flavor and can be used to maintain the seasoning without altering the appearance.

• To keep your wedge salad fresh, store the iceberg lettuce quarters in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Place them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator to maintain their crispness.

• For the blue cheese dressing, transfer it to a mason jar or any airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to one week. Give it a good stir before using it again to ensure the ingredients are well combined.

• If you have leftover bacon, store the crumbled pieces in a small airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the bacon for up to 1 month; just make sure to thaw it in the refrigerator before using.

• Cherry tomatoes should be stored at room temperature if you plan to use them within a couple of days. For longer storage, place them in the refrigerator, but allow them to come to room temperature before serving to enhance their flavor.

• When ready to assemble the salad, make sure all components are chilled. This will ensure a refreshing and crisp wedge salad experience.

• If you need to prepare the salad in advance, keep all components separate until just before serving. This prevents the lettuce from becoming soggy and ensures the bacon remains crispy.

• For freezing, it's best to avoid freezing the lettuce and tomatoes as they do not thaw well. However, you can freeze the blue cheese dressing in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator and stir well before using.

• To reheat the bacon, place it on a microwave-safe plate lined with a paper towel and microwave for 10-15 seconds, or until warm and crispy.

• Always check the freshness of your ingredients before assembling the salad. Fresh, crisp lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, and creamy blue cheese dressing make all the difference in creating a delightful wedge salad.

• Separate the components: To maintain the integrity of the wedge salad, it's best to separate the iceberg lettuce from the toppings and blue cheese dressing before reheating. This prevents the lettuce from becoming soggy.

• Reheat the bacon:

  1. Place the crumbled bacon on a microwave-safe plate lined with a paper towel.
  2. Microwave on high for 20-30 seconds until crispy.
  3. Alternatively, you can reheat the bacon in a skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes.

• Warm the dressing slightly:

  1. Transfer the blue cheese dressing to a microwave-safe bowl.
  2. Microwave on low power for 10-15 seconds, just enough to take the chill off without making it hot.

• Refresh the lettuce:

  1. If the iceberg lettuce has wilted, place it in a bowl of ice water for 10 minutes to crisp it up.
  2. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.

• Reassemble the salad:

  1. Place the refreshed iceberg lettuce wedges back on the serving plates.
  2. Drizzle with the slightly warmed blue cheese dressing.
  3. Top with reheated crumbled bacon and fresh cherry tomatoes.

• Serve immediately: Enjoy your refreshed wedge salad with all the flavors intact.

• Knife: For cutting the iceberg lettuce into quarters and mincing the garlic.

• Cutting board: To provide a stable surface for cutting the lettuce and garlic.

• Mixing bowl: For whisking together the mayonnaise, sour cream, blue cheese, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.

• Whisk: To mix the dressing ingredients until smooth.

• Serving plates: To place the lettuce wedges on for serving.

• Measuring cups: For accurately measuring the mayonnaise, sour cream, and blue cheese.

• Measuring spoons: For measuring the lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

• Bacon crisper or skillet: For cooking the bacon until crispy.

• Paper towels: To drain the cooked bacon and remove excess grease.

• Small bowl: For holding the crumbled bacon until ready to use.

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

• Tongs: Optional, for placing the lettuce wedges on the serving plates.

Pre-cook the bacon: Cook and crumble the bacon ahead of time and store it in the fridge to save time during assembly.

Pre-make the dressing: Whisk together the blue cheese dressing ingredients in advance and keep it chilled until ready to use.

Use pre-washed lettuce: Buy pre-washed and pre-cut iceberg lettuce to skip the washing and cutting steps.

Cherry tomatoes prep: Halve the cherry tomatoes in bulk and store them in an airtight container for quick access.

Assembly line setup: Arrange all ingredients in an assembly line to streamline the salad-making process.