The East Community Guide - Gainesville, FL August 2017 the east take2 | Page 10
Ingredients
2 small tomatoes, diced
Kosher salt
1 small red onion, minced
Freshly ground black pepper
2 ounces mild blue cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup buttermilk
White wine vinegar, for soaking onion
4 ounces sliced bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 ounces fresh bread crumbs (about 1/2 cup)
1 tablespoon fresh juice from 1 lemon
1 head iceberg lettuce, quartered cut through core
so that each quarter holds together
Minced chives, for garnish
Serving 4
Directions
Set a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and add diced tomatoes. Sprinkle
liberally with salt, and toss to combine. In a small bowl, add onion and pour
enough vinegar on top to cover. Let tomatoes and onions stand while you
prep the other ingredients. In a small skillet, cook bacon over medium-high
heat, stirring occasionally, until crisped, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted
spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. You should have about 2
tablespoons rendered fat in the skillet. Add bread crumbs and cook over
medium heat, stirring frequently, until browned and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes.
Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and season liberally with salt and
pepper. In a medium bowl, mash blue cheese with a whisk. Whisk in
mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, and lemon juice until a smooth, slightly
lumpy dressing forms. Season with pepper (the blue cheese will likely make
the dressing salty enough, but taste and add salt if necessary). Arrange
iceberg wedges on plates and spoon dressing on each. Drain quick-pickled
onions and sprinkle all over salads, along with drained tomatoes (discard any
extracted liquid), bacon, toasted bread crumbs, and chives. Serve.
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