Wedge Salad With Balsamic Food

SUNNY'S EASY WEDGE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a sheet tray with nonstick aluminum foil.
• Place the bacon on the lined sheet tray. Sprinkle on the brown sugar and steak seasoning. Bake until crispy, 15 to 20 minutes. Allow to cool enough to touch, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the balsamic and honey, parsley and thyme. Season to taste. Add the onion and tomatoes. Let sit until the tomatoes are slightly darker in color and the onions have softened slightly, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Place the wedges on plates. Top each with the onion and tomato mixture and any remaining liquid. Drizzle the wedges with the blue cheese dressing and top with the crumbled blue cheese and the bacon pieces. Serve immediately.

WEDGE SALAD WITH BLUE CHEESE RANCH AND BALSAMIC REDUCTION (OUTBACK COPYCAT)

Steps:

• Add all of the dressing ingredients to a medium bowl and whisk until well combined. Add milk to reach desired consistency. Best if chilled at least 30 minutes. Can be made days in advance and refrigerated in an airtight container.
• Note: Make just before serving or Reduction will thicken too much.
• Add 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar and 2 tablespoons brown sugar to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer just until the consistency of syrup (it will thicken upon standing). Remove from heat. If Reduction thickens before you use it, then stir in a little water and reheat in the pan.
• Add wedges to individual plates and top with desired amount of Blue Cheese Ranch followed by tomatoes, onions, corn and bacon. Drizzle with balsamic reduction. Garnish with additional blue cheese if desired.

OUTBACK-STYLE BLUE CHEESE WEDGE SALAD

Steps:

• Make the dressing: Whisk the mayonnaise, vinegar, buttermilk and sugar in a small bowl. Stir in the blue cheese and season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the glaze: Combine the sugar, balsamic vinegar and 2 tablespoons water in a small nonstick skillet. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Pour into a small bowl and let cool.
• Make the salad: Divide the iceberg wedges among plates. Spoon the dressing on top, letting it run down the sides. Drizzle all over with some of the glaze, about 1 teaspoon per wedge (you will not need all the glaze). Top with the tomatoes, red onion, bacon and blue cheese.

WEDGE SALAD WITH BALSAMIC

Steps:

• Place vinegar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and keep it at a simmer until reduced by approximately one-third and mixture coats a spoon.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool (it will thicken as it cools). Set aside 1/4 cup for salad. Reserve rest for another use (store in refrigerator).
• Remove core from lettuce. Cut lettuce head in half, then cut each half into quarters. Place on serving tray (or individual plates).
• Drizzle each lettuce wedge with dressing and balsamic reduction. Sprinkle with blue cheese, crumbled bacon and cherry tomatoes
• Serve immediately.

GREEK-INSPIRED GRILLED WEDGE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Whisk oil, balsamic vinegar, and mixed herbs in a small bowl. Add salt and pepper.
• Place romaine halves cut-sides up on a work surface. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Grill romaine, cut-sides down until slightly caramelized, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Plate grilled romaine cut-sides up. Top with tomatoes, cucumber, onion, feta cheese, and olives. Drizzle with dressing and serve.

WEDGE SALAD WITH ELEGANT BLUE CHEESE DRESSING

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 pound blue cheese, sour cream, buttermilk, mayonnaise, vinegar, olive oil, sugar, garlic, and pepper in a bowl; blend using a hand mixer; chill until serving.
• Build the salad by placing 1 lettuce wedge on each of 8 plates. Drizzle equal amounts of dressing over each wedge. Scatter tomatoes, onion, and 1/2 pound blue cheese over each salad.