I can’t remember the last time I’ve had iceberg lettuce (other than for a garnish). Either we’re all too busy eating other greens or we just aren’t eating enough of them.
I’ve seen a movement where people are introducing this much maligned leaf back into their diets.
Let’s face it…iceberg lettuce on it’s own is quite bland and it’s practically all water but if incorporated properly, it can complement a salad nicely.
When I say “properly”, I mean don’t make the salad all lettuce. Make the iceberg lettuce a component of the salad, not the star.
Psychgrad of Equal Opportunity Kitchen had recently posted a Chef’s Salad that was too easy to ignore. I had previously bought some iceberg lettuce on a whim, I had some edible tomatoes on hand and your other usual suspects that are found in a salad (cucumber, peppers, celery, scallions).
This salad is easy beyond belief. It’s creamy, it’s crunchy, it’s tasty. I omitted the usual ham/turkey cold cuts that one usually finds piled on top of the salad and the salad came out on top, on cue for my urge for salads and, on my future salad roster.
I’ve tweaked the dressing a bit but I’ve stayed true to it. Have it your way but do go and try, Chef R’s Big Salad!
Chef Salad
(for 4)
1/4 head of shredded iceberg lettuce
3 tomatoes, sliced
1/2 bell pepper, sliced
1/2 cucumber, sliced
1/2 stalk of celery, sliced
1 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
1 scallion, thinly sliced
Dressing
3 Tablespoons mayonnaise
1/4 cup olive oil
1 Tbsp honey
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard or
1 garlic cloves, minced
good squeeze of 1/4 lemon
- Rinse, dry and prepare all your vegetables for your salad and reserve in your salad bowl and reserve.
- Using a jar, add all of your dressing ingredients and shake the contents to emulsify your dressing.
- Pour over your salad, toss and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Enjoy!
I have a craving for light dishes this week and Salads are currently high on my list!
This salad was already bookmarked Peter from her blog. I sometimes have a craving for old-fashioned iceberg lettuce with it’s crunchy leaves and refreshing taste. It can be done very well as it has been in your rendition.
This salad is a great way to get acquainted with an old staple, the iceberg lettuce. The dressing in particular sounds very good (gotta love honey and mustard).
I am a firm believer that simple salads are usually the most satisfying. I have a feeling this one fits this description quite well. Nice blog!
I really like what you did here with the lettuce, Peter – the salad looks delicious and refreshing!
I must pick up some parsley because this salad looks like a winner!
Craving. Fresh. Greens.
I love iceberg salade. I like the crispiness of it. I even add them in chinese soup
I definitely need to eat more greens. It’s so easy to ignore them sometimes that it takes delicious recipes like this to slap me in the face. Thanks for sharing!
Fresh, light, tasteful and fast to prepare… perfect for rushing days!! Gracias, Peter.
Your salad looks great Peter!
That looks really delicious and light! It seems like forever since I’ve had iceberg lettuce.
I really like your blog.
Neat! Thanks for the shout out Peter! Your version looks really good too!
your blog is very nice….
Hi Peter,
Every once in a while I crave iceberg lettuce. I don’t know why…must be the crunch of it. I usually drench it in blue cheese, but your method sounds good too :)
lovely creamy dressing Peter, I will give it a go! I usually go for olive oil, dijon mustard and balsamic vinegar.
This sounds tasty indeed, though I think something warming is in order today, as it’s freezing cold. Glad to see you are keeping your vegetarian readers happy by holding off on the deli meat :)
It is hard to call iceberg a green, isn’t it? But it contains folic acid and fiber, so I ain’t mad at it. It makes the very best burgers and tacos, too.
Well iceburg lettuce takes me back a few years in the ol’ memory block. A salad to my mother was a big wedge of iceburg lettuce with a piece of sliced tomato atop drenched in French Dressing! Yours is much more creative!
Pixie, it’s freezing here and I should be having soups but I just had the urge for salad.
Val, you’re going to enjoy it then.
Cake, I prefer using honey to sugar.
Jenn, thanks for visiting…do you have a blog?
Psych, the pleasure was mine.
Lori, blue cheese would have been great here!
Holler, make sure your eyes are open when eating the salad, ok? ;)
Lisa, it’s not a conscious effort, I just like a balanced diet.
Heather, it’s the “t’aint” of veggies…t’aint white, t’aint green!
Deb, exactly…salads were so bland back in day…I remember some with white vinegar!
Pat, this salad did hit the spot.
Aimee, it’s too easy not to try!
Nuria, a great salad and yes, quick to prep.
Mary, thanks for visiting, come by again soon!
oooh, this looks wonderful – such a delicious hint of spring!
This is one of my favourite salads but never thought of making the dressing myself.
Ha, Ha!
Vegetables ain’t what I think of when you say “tain’t”. Can I make gross jokes without getting a scolding PM? Please say yes.
By the by, this is the bourbon talking.
And then there’s that staple from years ago: big wedge of Iceburg with a large dollop of thick, orange dressing sliding down. A classic of steakhouses!
The title to this post attracted me and then I realized it was about a lettuce; iceberg, no less. Well I like this salad, despite the iceberg, which has always left me -very cold-.