1/2teaspoonfreshly ground black pepperplus more as needed
3tablespoonsolive oil
3/4cupsour cream
6tablespoonsbuttermilk
1large head iceberg lettucecored, washed, and patted dry
8slicescooked bacon
Louisiana Garlic Breadrecipe follows
Leftover Garlic Bread Croutonsrecipe follows
Chopped fresh chivesfor garnish
Instructions
Combine half of the blue cheese, the lemon juice, Worcestershire, hot sauce, salt and black pepper in a medium mixing bowl. Using the back of a fork, mash the mixture together to form a thick paste. Drizzle in the olive oil, stirring continuously with the fork until the mixture is creamy. Add the sour cream and buttermilk and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper, if needed.
Cut the lettuce into 4 wedges and place each wedge on a salad plate. Spoon about 1/4 cup of the dressing over each wedge. Crumble remaining cheese over each wedge and arrange 2 slices of bacon around each plate. Place croutons around each salad wedge. Garnish with additional cracked black pepper and fresh chives and serve immediately.
Leftover Garlic Bread Croutons:
2 cups leftover garlic bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons olive oil
Emeril's Essence, recipe follows
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Toss garlic bread with the olive oil in a large bowl. Season lightly with the Essence and spread bread onto a baking sheet. Bake until golden brown and crisped through, 10 to 15 minutes.
Yield: 2 cups croutons
Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):