I don’t know why it’s been so impossible to get a salad recipe up here on Dixie Caviar. I mean, come on already. It’s been over a year now, and I’ve covered everything under the sun except for salad.
Down here in Dixie, our definition of salad is already a little bit dodgy. There’s potato salad, chicken salad, and better yet, Jello salad. If it’s got mayonnaise in it, it’s a salad. Cool Whip? Yep, salad.
So I actually started out with the plan to make Watergate Salad. You know, that seafoam green pistachio thingy with marshmallows in it. Yeah, you know the one. It appeared on my grandma’s holiday table for as long as I can remember, and I thought it would be appropriate to make it for my father’s upcoming book club (The Well-Read-Neck Book Club. Get it? Hee hee.)
Turns out, Watergate Salad is one unphotogenic dish. I tried my damndest, but if I’d posted the pictures, you surely wouldn’t want to try it. Even though it is oh-so-yummy in the most processed sort of way.
So, wedge salad with buttermilk ranch it is. And this stuff’s not too shabby, either. I try not to keep ranch dressing in our kitchen at all times, in case you were wondering, but if we’re going to have it, it might as well be homemade. It runs circles around store-bought, I swear.
Now, I’m off to “work off” my “salad.”
WEDGE SALAD WITH BUTTERMILK GARLIC DRESSING
Source: Peachtree Bouquet, Junior League of Dekalb County, Decatur, GA
FOR THE SALAD
2 heads of Iceberg lettuce, cored and quartered
Bacon crumbles, for garnish
FOR DRESSING:
2 cups mayonnaise
2/3 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons honey
3/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, or more to taste
Finely chopped parsley (optional)
Whisk mayonnaise and buttermilk in a bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate covered, at least 8 hours or overnight. YIELDS: 2 cups
Pour dressing over wedges and garnish with bacon crumbles. YIELDS: 8 servings
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Ack. Ranch dressing is one of my weaknesses. I love how retro this is! I love micro greens (oh, how posh), but my redneck side still loves some iceberg, too.
Ohhh, I love ranch dressing. I made a buttermilk ranch the other day as well, cutting back on the mayo so it wasn’t as creamy in the end. But I must admit, yours looks like a “salad” anyone could go crazy for!
Mmm! There’s something about summer that makes me crave lettuce… and bacon… and ranch.
I’m laughing. I love salads and was amazed when I moved to GA that ice berg lettuce is still in vogue! Your recipe is nice.
Whole Foods has something similar with dried cranberries and pecans sprinkled on top – I’d rather have bacon bits!
Everything is better with real butter and bacon, isn’t it?
Miracle Whip is another product I thought was dead and gone until I moved to GA.