This Crisp Iceberg Wedge Delight is a refreshing and crunchy salad, perfect as a light lunch or a sophisticated starter. Topped with homemade croutons and classic toppings like bacon and blue cheese, it’s a dish that combines simplicity with gourmet flavors.
Essentials of Iceberg Wedge Delight
- Iceberg Lettuce: Known historically as Crisp Head, this lettuce is chosen for its fresh, crunchy texture. Opt for heads that are heavy and have a vibrant medium green color.
- Bacon: Opt for thick slices that can be prepared in advance. Baking them in the oven until crispy ensures they are ready to be crumbled over the salad.
- Cheeses: Blue cheese crumbles add a sharp, tangy contrast, though you can substitute with any cheese you prefer.
- Tomatoes and Onions: Fresh cherry tomatoes and sharp red onions add a burst of freshness and a touch of sweetness.
- Croutons: Homemade croutons bring a buttery crunch that elevates this salad from simple to spectacular.
- Dressings: Whether you choose the tang of blue cheese or the creamy zest of ranch, the dressing ties all the flavors together.
Assembly Instructions
- Prepare the Base: Begin by washing the lettuce and removing any limp outer leaves. Slice the head into four equal wedges, ensuring the core is trimmed but still holding the leaves together.
- Add the Toppings: Arrange the wedges on a plate and generously top with blue cheese, crispy bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, and diced red onion.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with finely diced chives and homemade croutons. Drizzle with your choice of blue cheese or ranch dressing and a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper to enhance the flavors.
Ingredients
- Iceberg Lettuce: 1 head
- Thick-Cut Bacon: 8 slices, cooked and crumbled
- Blue Cheese Crumbles: ¼ cup [28 g]
- Cherry Tomatoes: 1 cup [about 150 g], halved
- Red Onion: 1 cup [about 160 g], diced
- Chives: For garnish, finely diced
- Homemade Croutons: To taste
- Blue Cheese Dressing: 1 cup [240 mL]
- Ranch Dressing: 1 cup [240 mL]
- Freshly Cracked Pepper: ⅛ teaspoon
Instructions
- Prepare Lettuce: Clean the lettuce and carefully remove the stem and any wilted outer leaves. Cut the head into four quarters to create thick wedges.
- Assemble the Salad: Arrange each wedge on a plate. Evenly distribute the blue cheese, bacon, tomatoes, and red onions over each wedge.
- Add Final Touches: Sprinkle each wedge with chives and add homemade croutons on top. Choose either blue cheese or ranch dressing to drizzle over the wedges. Finish with a dash of freshly cracked pepper.
- Serve: Present the salad immediately, chilled, as a delightful starter or a light main course.
This Crisp Iceberg Wedge Delight not only presents beautifully but offers a satisfying crunch and melding of flavors that are sure to impress at any dining table.
