Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

blue cheese salad dressing

Wedge salads are one of my all-time favorites! And you can’t get much simpler. Each ingredient needs to be on point with only a handful of simple ingredients. However, the most critical component, in my opinion, is the dressing.

I have seen several dressings served with a wedge, but my favorite wedge has thick, creamy, and chunky blue cheese dressing. I realize there are blue cheese haters out there. However, I can’t say I understand because blue cheese is the best!

A classic wedge deserves a top-notch blue cheese dressing. This recipe is spot on with great taste. It’s super easy to whip up and complements any salad, not just a wedge.

I recently started eating keto again, and I do not know why I stopped. I feel much better, think clearer, and have more energy. This recipe came from Keto for Foodies by Nicole Downs, and the cookbook is loaded with great recipes that I can’t wait to try.

Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

Makes: 1 1/2 cups
Course Keto
Author Amye Melton

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup full fat sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese plus more for garnish, if desired

Instructions

  • In a medium-size bowl whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, heavy cream, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Fold in the blue cheese without breaking up the crumbs.
  • Transfer dressing to a pint glass jar and cover with a lid. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
  • Garnish with additional blue cheese crumbles if desired.
  • Store in refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Notes

Serving = 3 tablespoons
Calories: 179; Fat: 18g; Net Carbs: 2g; Protein: 2g

Blue Balsamic Chips

 

Blue Balsamic Chips

Who out there plans their party menus weeks ahead of time? I have started my list of Super Bowl recipe contenders. Appetizers are the ultimate crowd-pleasers and what we will be serving this year. We seldom order them when we go out. That is unless we decide to split a few for our meal. Which is one of my favorite things to do!

I have been working on my recipe plans. I have a massive stack of cookbooks beside the couch with sticky notes everywhere. I know it’s old school, but I love a cookbook. A book that I can hold, rather than my iPad or computer, has so much appeal to me! If you ask Greg, my obsession with cookbooks is probably a little over the top. Oh well, it’s a cheap habit, and it makes me happy.

Here’s an oldie but a goodie that I will be making this year. Homemade crispy, crunchy potato chips topped with alfredo/blue cheese sauce, drizzled with balsamic glaze, and sprinkled with bacon and green onions. If that does not make your mouth water, I’m not sure what would!

Blue Balsamic Chips

Course Appetizer
Author Amye Melton

Ingredients

  • 4 medium potatoes scrubbed
  • peanut oil for frying
  • salt to taste
  • 1 cup prepared Alfredo sauce
  • 6 ounces blue cheese crumbles plus more to spinkle over the top
  • 1/4 cup Ranch dressing
  • 4 strips bacon fried crisp, drained and chopped
  • 3 green onions green part only, chopped
  • 1 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

  • Slice scrubbed potatoes thin. Soak in ice water for about 10 minutes. Drain and dry well.
  • Heat oil to 350℉ - 375℉.
  • While oil is heating, pour 1 cup alfredo sauce in a saucepan. Heat to boiling then reduce to a simmer. Add 6-ounces blue cheese crumbles and 1/4 cup Ranch dressing. Stir to combine. Remove from heat and allow to rest.
  • In another saucepan combine vinegar and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer annd stir occasionally. Make a slurry by adding 1 teaspoon water to the cornstarch. Add to the balsamic mixture and stir. (You need this to be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. If 1 tablespoon cornstarch isn't enough, make up a little more.). Set aside.
  • Fry potatoes to desired crispness. Drain well on paper-towel lined pans. Salt to taste.
  • Place chips on a serving plate. Drizzle chips with blue cheese sauce, then drizzle with some balsamic glaze. Sprinkle with bacon, blue cheese crumbles and green onions. Serve while chips are still warm.

Buffalo Chicken Flatbread

buffalo chicken flatbread

 

When the kids were younger, I hated it when Greg worked late or had to go out of town. That meant that I had to get the kids fed, bathed, make sure homework was completed. Plus do everything else involved with raising kids while he was having dinner at a nice restaurant without a care in the world. That is the way it played out in my mind anyway. In reality, he has worked hard for years to provide for the kids and me. I’m sure; in fact, I know there were plenty of times he felt unappreciated because, from my point of view back then, I was doing IT ALL! Looking back, it took both of us (plus one) doing everything we did to accomplish what we have!  I did, however, gain much respect during those days for military spouses and single parents!

Now, with the kids grown and Greg still traveling occasionally, I sometimes enjoy dinner alone. I can sit in his recliner, NOT watching ESPN or his recorded television shows, and make myself a leisurely meal with little to no mess!

Flatbreads are one of my new “go-to” quick meals. I love the versatility, and I have not tried one yet that I did not like. This Buffalo Chicken Flatbread is fantastic! This is a Weight Watchers recipe with 7 Smart Points. I love buffalo shrimp and think it would be an excellent substitute for the chicken in this dish. Adjust the hot sauce to your taste and enjoy!

Buffalo Chicken Flatbread
 
Author:
Serves: 1
 
Ingredients
  • 1 Flatout Light Original flatbread
  • ¼ c. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 3 oz. cooked shredded chicken breast
  • 4 tbsp. hot sauce, or to taste
  • ¼ c. shredded carrots
  • ¼ c. thinly sliced celery
  • ¼ c. reduced fat crumbled blue cheese
  • 1 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375℉.
  2. Place flatbread on baking sheet; bake 2 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine chicken with 2 - 3 tbsp. hot sauce.
  3. Sprinkle flatbread with mozzarella cheese; top with chicken. Sprinkle with carrot and celery; crumble blue cheese over top and drizzle with more hot sauce (optional). Bake until heated through and cheese is melted, 4 - 5 minutes. Remove from oven; sprinkle with cilantro.
Notes
1 serving = 7 Weight Watchers Smart Points

 

Lighter Blue Cheese Dressing

Lighter Blue Cheese Dressing

Greg and I both love a simple wedge salad. The dressing is the star of the show on a wedge. If the dressing is not spectacular, then the salad isn’t worth eating, am I right? Who would have ever thought that an iceberg lettuce wedge topped with thick, chunky, blue cheese dressing, some crumbled bacon, and tomato could be such a delight!

In the past, I have given up flavor to go down a dress size. I like food though, and a healthy lifestyle just never lasts because I began to feel deprived. Greg and I both fall into the modern-day foodie category, and bland is not what we crave.

As I begin to discover new recipes I am also revamping some of my old favorites. One of my first recipe remakes was blue cheese dressing, and I am ecstatic with the results! It turns out that I do not have to give up my favorite dressing! Although it’s not quite as creamy as my full-fat version, the flavor is every bit as good and completely satisfying!

It thrills me to know I can have good food and try to be healthier too. Believe it or not, just by making a few changes the scales are already moving in the right direction!

 

Lighter Blue Cheese Dressing
 
Author:
 
Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp. white vinegar
  • 1 medium garlic clove
  • ½ tsp. sugar
  • pinch salt
  • pinch freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ c. Plain, low-fat Greek yogurt
  • ¼ c. light Olive Oil Mayonnaise
  • ¼ c. light sour cream
  • ½ cup blue cheese, crumbled
Instructions
  1. In the bowl of a food processor mix vinegar, garlic clove, sugar, salt, pepper, yogurt, mayonnaise, and sour cream until smooth. Add the blue cheese and pulse a few times to blend slightly while still leaving it somewhat chunky.
  2. Makes 6 - ¼ c. servings
  3. Each serving = 4 WW Freestyle Points