Iceberg Wedge Salad with Green Goddess Ranch Dressing

This post is belated because I’m still recovering from my husband’s extravagant birthday feast. Recovering from preparing it… and from eating it (for many, many days!). 😉 I must say that it was well worth every minute AND every bite.

His special celebratory feast usually involves fried chicken with biscuits and gravy, macaroni and cheese, and his favorite Vanilla Bean Birthday Cheesecake for dessert. I have made Caesar salad as our “vegetable” in the past, but this year he requested a wedge salad. Yay! I love a change.

This recipe was adapted from Mad Hungry by Lucinda Scala Quinn, via Martha Stewart Living. I used 4 tablespoons of buttermilk to adjust the consistency of the dressing. I also adapted the way the iceberg lettuce was sliced to modify the serving size and simplify the eating process. We all LOVED it!

For the Green Goddess Ranch Salad Dressing:

Yield: Makes 1 1/2 cups

• 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives and/or scallions, plus more for garnish, optional
• 2 teaspoons anchovy paste or 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons mild vinegar, such as white-wine vinegar or tarragon vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, smashed and minced
• buttermilk or milk (optional)

1. In a large bowl or blender, whisk or blend all the ingredients except the buttermilk.
2. Add just enough buttermilk to thin to the desired consistency, if needed. (I used 4 tablespoons.)
3. Pour into a jar with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to combine. Shake well before using.

Note: Dressing will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

To Complete the Salad:

Yield: 4 Servings

• Green Goddess Ranch Dressing (recipe above)
• 1 head iceberg lettuce, cut into thick slices or wedges
• 4 slices bacon, cooked until crispy
• English cucumber, cut into slices

1. Prepare Green Goddess dressing and set aside.
2. In a 9 x 13-inch pyrex baking dish, bake bacon at 350 degrees for 20 to 3o minutes, until crispy.
3. Place 1 iceberg lettuce slice/wedge and 4 to 6 cucumber wedges on each plate.
4. Pour some dressing over top with crumbled bacon and minced chives over each serving, as desired.

One Year Ago:

• Extra-Crispy Birthday Fried Chicken with Biscuits & Milk Gravy
• Creamy Macaroni & Cheese

Two Years Ago:

• Coke-Brined Fried Chicken with Biscuits & Gravy

Three Years Ago:

• Baked Mustard Chicken

Four Years Ago:

• Vanilla Bean Birthday Cheesecake

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About Josette@thebrookcook

I live in Stony Brook, New York on Long Island. I love garlic and baking. My hobby (and love) is to try new recipes. My favorite recipe resources include The New York Times, Food and Wine, Bon Appetit, and Martha Stewart Living. Enjoy!

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