Ah summer. When I was a kid summer was THE BEST. School was out, the weather was great, there were more things to do and everyone had plenty of time. I grew up in Michigan, and summer was definitely my favorite time of year. I remember swimming and bonfires and camping and FOOD. It was magical. We even ate differently in the summer. Fresh fruits and vegetables were plentiful, whereas they really weren't even available throughout the rest of the year.

As I grew older I somehow lost that summer magic. I moved to southern California with my husband and 3 kids, and summer became just another season, so much like the other seasons. I did my best to create the magic while my kids were young, but by the time they were grown it was gone.

Last year I caught myself dreading summer, and actually heard myself saying the words, "I hate summer." I realized it was time for an intervention. I made a "Summer To Do List" and forced myself to get out there and have fun. I went to the beach, enjoyed Shakespeare in the park, picnicked, swam, watched movies under the stars and ate homemade lavender ice cream AND recruited lots of friends and family to do it all with me. Summer was back! It was such a valuable lesson, as I learned that I have to continue to create my life, my fun.

So as June 21st approaches I've started my new Summer To Do List. I really don't need it anymore, but I'll keep it there as a reminder to create, to enjoy, to have fun.

This blog is part of that. Those of you who know me know that I love good food, and I love to share it with people I love. In an effort to try new things and eat healthily, I've challenged myself to make and share 60 Salads of Summer. My daughter Danica, who is a very creative cook, is helping me. And we're looking forward to sharing the fruits of our labor. I can't promise they'll all be healthy, but I can promise they'll all be delicious. Enjoy!

Monday, June 30, 2014

13. Blue Cheese Wedge





















Do you remember when I said “I can’t promise they’ll all be healthy, but I can promise they’ll all be delicious?”  Yeah, well, this is one of those.  This is probably the only appearance iceberg lettuce will make in this blog, unless I come up with something special for a Throwback Thursday. 

But if you like blue cheese, you’ll LOVE this.  The dressing is delicious, and a definite keeper for your recipe file.  Find a good quality blue cheese and really good bacon and you won’t be disappointed.

Ingredients

4-6 oz thick applewood smoked bacon, chopped into 1” pieces
1 head iceberg lettuce, trimmed and cut into 4 wedges
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
1/8 lb good blue cheese for crumbles (you need to buy just under a half pound total for this recipe--for the dressing and the extra crumbles, combined).

Dressing

1/2 finely chopped small shallot
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 Tbsp good mayo
1 Tbsp white wine vinegar
1 Tbsp chopped fresh chives
1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1/4 lb good blue cheese, crumbled
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper


Fry the bacon over medium heat until crisp.  Set aside on a paper towel

Whisk the shallot, sour cream, buttermilk, mayo, herbs and vinegar together until well combined.  Season with salt and pepper, and fold in the blue cheese.  Taste for seasoning and adjust accordingly.  (Keep in mind that the flavors will intensify, so if you make it ahead, it’s even better).

Dress each of the 4 wedges, top with onions, bacon and the remaining blue cheese crumbles.

Serves 4

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