As I tell Nancy Leson in this week's Food for Thought, I have had an iceberg lettuce epiphany. A voice whispered, "Slice it horizontally."
The voice was that of Smitten Kitchenfood blogger Deb Perelman and I heard it in my head while leafing through her Smitten Kitchen Cookbook, which I bought immediately.
Here's the deal: Instead of cutting the lettuce in the usual wedges, Perelman slices it horizontally, then stacks the layers, drizzling each with blue cheese dressing. Top with 1/4-inch diced celery and radishes, maybe some bacon or pancetta, and have at it.
Deb Perelman's Smitten Kitchen blue cheese dressing recipe: 1/2 cup well-shaken buttermilk 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 small garlic clove, minced 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 2 ounces crumbled firm blue cheese (1/2 cup) 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives Blend buttermilk, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt and pepper in a food processor until smooth. Add blue cheese and pulse until cheese is incorporated but dressing is still slightly chunky. Transfer to a bowl and stir in chives. Makes about 1 1/4 cups of dressing.
Flame away, lettuce snobs, but I'm making this one as soon as I get home.
"The embarrassing thing is that the salad dressing is out-grossing my films."
– Paul Newman
Note: This episode of Food For Thought originally aired on June 5, 2013.