Doll up that Lettuce Wedge!

The wedge salad of the 50's and 60's moves in and out of favor.  The salad, though, did not originate then.  The earliest mention of the lettuce wedge salad was found in a cookbook published in 1916. Marion Neil's cookbook, Salads, Sandwiches and Chafing Recipes mentions the wedge salad with Roquefort cheese and hard boiled eggs.  It's popularity fluctuates with the times but it hasn't disappeared.

The wedge salad today has many guises.  There will always be the original but it can be dolled up to reflect most cuisines.  It can have a Mediterranean look with a vinaigrette and cucumbers, kalamata olives, tomatoes and feta sprinkled over the top.  Or it may have a more España appearance as this salad does.  Add a little corn and red pepper salsa made fresh from the garden, a few tomatoes, some manzanilla olives and a few crushed tortilla chips for a little crunch and you have a lovely wedge dolled up for the evening!

Salad Wedge with Corn and Red Pepper Salsa

adapted from The Good Stuff by Spike Mendelsohn

Serves 4

Red Wine Vinaigrette

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

1/2 red onion, rough chop

1 garlic clove, minced

2 Tbsp Dijon mustard

2 Tbsp honey

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

1 cup vegetable oil

In a blender, combine all ingredients except the oil.  When combined, leave the motor running and slowly drizzle the oil in a slow, thin stream.  When the oil has been added and the mixture is smooth, turn off the blender and set aside.

Corn and Red Pepper Salsa
2 ears of fresh white corn, grilled, kernels removed or 1 can of corn (16 oz.)
1/2 small red bell pepper, seeded and diced
1/2 small red onion, diced
1 green onion, sliced
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2  cup white wine vinegar
2 Tbsp sugar
Salt and pepper, to taste

If using canned corn, drain.  Cook kernels in a hot skillet with a tablespoon of oil.   Cook about 10 minutes until kernels are crisp.  Season with salt.  Set aside to cool.

When ready to serve, combine the all ingredients.  Mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Salad
1 head iceberg lettuce
5 oz bag of baby mixed greens
8 manzanilla olives
1 pint mini heirloom tomatoes or grape tomatoes, sliced in half
1 green onion, sliced diagonally
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
Corn and Red Pepper Salsa
1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips

Remove the root end from the lettuce.  Cut the head in half.  From the half head, cut wedges to serving size.  (I cut the half head into four wedges.)  Spread out some of the mixed greens on the salad plates and place the wedge on top.  Dress the wedge with about 2 Tablespoons of dressing.  Top each wedge with two olives, tomatoes, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.  Add about 1/3 cup corn and red pepper salsa to the top and then garnish with slices of green onion and a Tablespoon of crushed tortilla chips.

PRINTABLE RECIPE

This was a delicious salad and I am happy that I have enough ingredients left over to repeat the creation tonight!