Crisp Iceberg Wedge Delight

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

1. 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.
2. Add the Toppings: Arrange the wedges on a plate and generously top with blue cheese, crispy bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, and diced red onion.
3. 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

1. 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.
2. Assemble the Salad: Arrange each wedge on a plate. Evenly distribute the blue cheese, bacon, tomatoes, and red onions over each wedge.
3. 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.
4. 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.