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With all the recent E. Coli scares with Romaine lettuce I decided to go back to good old iceburg lettuce.  A change in lettuce brings with it a change in dressing. Here is a favorite from Damaris Phillips with very few changes. This is a PERFECT recipe for us – hubby loves blue cheese more than I do so it’s a compromise that works. I love to top it with my swwet & spicy bacon – YUMMY!

BLUE CHEESE RANCH WEDGE with SWEET & SPICY BACON
DRESSING
1 cup creme fraiche
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup FRESH basil leaves, chopped
1/4 cup FRESH parsley leaves, chopped
2 tablespoons sliced FRESH chives
1 teaspoon FRESH thyme leaves, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 lemon, juiced (about 1 tablespoon)
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (ALSO great with Gorgonzola)
FRESH coarsely ground sea salt black pepper
FRESH coarsely ground black pepper

• Combine the creme fraiche, buttermilk, basil, parsley, chives, thyme, garlic, lemon juice and onion powder with a whisk in a medium bowl.
• Fold in the blue cheese, season with salt and pepper.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.

SALAD
1 head iceberg lettuce, quartered and core removed
1 cup halved grape tomatoes
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1/4 cup grated sharp cheddar

• Divide the lettuce wedges among 4 plates.
• Top each with 1/4 cup of the dressing, the tomatoes, sliced green onions, sweet and spicy bacon.
• Serve the remaining dressing on the side.
• Eat right away!

SWEET & SPICY BACON adapted from GIADA
1 pound slab bacon, cut into 1-by-1/2-inch pieces **
1/4 cup PURE maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 tablespoons FRANK’S original hot sauce

• Place the bacon in an even layer in a large skillet.
• Cook over medium-low heat, stirring often with spatula until the bacon is light golden brown, about 20 minutes.
• Whisk together the maple syrup, black pepper and Frank’s in a small bowl.
• Pour off some of the rendered bacon fat, leaving just a small amount.
• Return the skillet to the heat and pour the maple syrup mixture over the bacon.
• Braise gently until the syrup thickens and glazes the bacon and the bacon is deep golden brown, about 15 minutes.
• Serve warm.