The Party Wedge Salad
The wedge salad is very retro (circa 1950’s) and I’m seeing it on a lot of menus lately. As much as I like a kale salad, I don’t want one every day.
Speaking of retro, have you watched the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel yet. Season 3 is up and we’re saving it to start Christmas night, after company leaves and we are nestled in our PJ’s.
The wit, the clothes, the storyline, the pace, are enticing in this absolutely original take on a New York Jewish housewife in the 1950’s who has it all, and then stuff happens. Of course, that “all” is defined by 1950’s Jewish mothers who want son-in-laws, grandchildren and close proximity.
This amazon original is just as refreshing and accessorized by proper twists and turns as this festive wedge salad.
Lately I’ve been on a wedge salad kick, ordering them everywhere I go. Typically, made with crisp iceberg lettuce, blue cheese and bacon, the wedge hits all the right notes, when I’m hungry and want salty yet refreshing.
In my holiday version of the wedge salad, I add pomegranates and chopped pistachios for a festival holiday feel, bringing yet one more texture and color to the mix.
In a summer version, I use fresh tomatoes and possibly some hard boiled eggs.
Sometimes I use a blue cheese vinaigrette; sometimes I make a homemade creamy blue cheese dressing.
I like to throw blue cheese crumbles in my shallot vinaigrette, but sometimes I long for a creamy blue cheese dressing like the one I made here.
I used a gorgonzola cheese which is an Italian blue cheese, a little more crumbly, but not really that much different from other blue cheese.
What I Most Love about the Classic Party Wedge and Blue Cheese Dressing.
Iceberg lettuce gets a bad rap, and for so long has been the lettuce to make fun of, but I’m bringing it back to the table with gusto. The number one reason I love the wedge is that it’s can be a meal. It takes a long time to eat, and I like that. It can handle creamy dressings far better than most lettuces.
There’s a lot of crunch with the wedge and the bacon and a lot of umami satisfaction with the blue cheese. It’s also refreshing at the same time.
Iceberg lettuce has a high water content yet doesn’t wilt easily. It can sit high on a plate smothered in blue cheese vinaigrette or blue cheese dressing and stay crisp. Or the wedge can be the height of luxury with homemade blue cheese dressing.
It’s the perfect thing to serve at a party! Don’t you just love this slate plate? You can order it here.
Assemble Your Own Party Wedge Salad
The great idea for a brunch, lunch or dinner, is to allow people to assemble their own wedge. You can set out a bowl of crumbly blue cheese next to the dressing. There are always people who hate the blue, so set out cheddar and ranch for them. Everyone can be happy.
You can serve individual wedge salads on a platter with dressing applied or on the side.
So tell me do you make a salad for your parties? I always do.
More Recipes from Spinach Tiger
Buttermilk Ranch Dressing Here
Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing
Blue Cheese Purple Potatoes
Blue Cheese Cole Slaw
Blue Cheese Bacon Biscuit Sandwich
Grilled Peach Salad with Blue Cheese
The Wedge Salad Recipe with Variations for a Crowd
Ingredients
- 1 head iceberg lettuce
- blue cheese dressing recipe found here
- 4 slices bacon (oven-baked recipe found here)
- 2 hard boiled eggs recipe found here
- 1/4 cup pomegranate arils or chopped tomato
- 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
- 2 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese
- sliced radishes
Instructions
- Arrange wedges on platter or individual plates. Cut into 4 pieces for large sized servings or six pieces for party wedges.
- Top with dressing, followed by toppings.
- You can switch the toppings out as you see fit.
- Top with crumbled blue cheese.
- Serve immediately
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If you love this recipe, please give it five stars. It means a lot. xoxo
I giggled as I watched my Jewish BF scream in mock horror at your typo. It’s ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’. Maisel means ‘warrior’, but mazel means ‘good fortune’. Which (at least in the first season) Midge seems to have none. XOGREG
Yikes I fixed it. I’ve been waiting so many months for this pilot to turn into a serious. I love it!