Bourbon Gorgonzola Wedge Recipes

ICEBERG WEDGE SALAD WITH CREAMY GORGONZOLA DRESSING

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, and gorgonzola. Using a wooden spoon, stir the mixture to combine the cheese through the mixture. Loosen up the mix with the buttermilk, a tablespoon at a time, until it comes to a salad dressing consistency. Season the mix with salt, and pepper, to taste. Stir in the fresh herbs.
• Place a wedge of lettuce on a plate, coat liberally with the blue cheese dressing, and crumble some cooked bacon on top of the dressing. Dress each plate with 2 halved tomatoes, some blue cheese, and season with a little bit of salt and pepper.

ICEBERG WEDGES WITH PANCETTA GORGONZOLA DRESSING

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and saute until crisp and golden, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pancetta to a paper towel-lined plate to drain the excess oil.
• Stir the buttermilk, sour cream, and garlic in a medium bowl to blend; mix 2/3 of the cheese. Season the dressing with salt and pepper, to taste.
• (The dressing can be made up to 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Stir to blend before using, adding more milk to thin the sauce, if necessary.)
• Arrange each of 6 lettuce wedges on 6 plates. Spoon the dressing over the lettuce. Sprinkle with the pancetta and remaining cheese and serve.

BOURBON GORGONZOLA WEDGE

Steps:

• For the dressing: Combine the creme fraiche, buttermilk, basil, parsley, chives, thyme, garlic, lemon juice, bourbon, onion powder and 1/4 cup of the gorgonzola in a blender and pulse until combined. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• For the wedge: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the pecans on a rimmed baking sheet and toast until fragrant, 6 to 8 minutes. Let cool and then chop.
• Divide the lettuce wedges among 4 plates. Top each with 1/4 cup of the dressing, the tomatoes, toasted pecans and the remaining 1/4 cup gorgonzola. Serve the remaining dressing on the side. Eat right away!

GORGONZOLA CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Place a heavy skillet over medium heat. Pour cream into skillet, bring to a simmer, and cook cream until it reduces by half, about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Pour dried ravioli into boiling water and cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender, 16 to 18 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving a cup of pasta water.
• Gently fold cooked ravioli into cream sauce and turn heat to low. Mix in Gorgonzola cheese, stirring gently until melted. If sauce is too thick, thin it with a little pasta cooking water.
• Stir in 2 tablespoons parsley and Parmesan cheese. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with diced apple, walnuts, and 1 teaspoon parsley.

PEAR & GORGONZOLA CROSTINI

Steps:

• Halve and core the pears, then cut each one into 12 small wedges. Place in a heavy-based saucepan with the honey, port and wine. Cook for 5-10 minutes or until the pears are just tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife (they shouldn't be soft).
• Carefully tip the pears into a sieve set over a small saucepan and allow them to drain thoroughly.
• Reduce the liquid in the saucepan by two-thirds - it should have a syrupy consistency like runny honey. This will take 10-12 minutes. Pour the syrup into a small bowl and allow to cool while you prepare the bruschettas.
• Preheat the grill to hot. Cut the bread into 24 slices and brush both sides of each slice with olive oil. Grill until the bruschettas are golden on both sides. This only takes a minute, so keep watch.
• Spread each bruschetta with a little gorgonzola and top with a poached pear wedge. Arrange the bruschettas on a serving plate and drizzle with the port syrup using a teaspoon. Sprinkle over a little mustard and cress.
• Prepare ahead: you can poach the pears the day before and serve them cold - they're just as nice. Take them out of the syrup and reduce, then store the pears and syrup in separate plastic containers in the fridge. If the syrup is too thick the next day, add a little warm water, and if it is too thin, you can reduce it by simmering for a minute or two.

WINTER SQUASH WEDGES WITH GORGONZOLA BUTTER AND HAZELNUTS

Steps:

• Make the Gorgonzola butter:
• In a medium-sized bowl, pound the garlic and a hefty pinch of salt with the back of a spoon until a paste forms. Add the butter and cheese and mix until well incorporated. Set aside.
• Make the squash:
• Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and brush the squash wedges with a little melted butter. Add the squash to the skillet and cook, undisturbed, for a few minutes. Once the squash begins to brown up a bit, turn the wedges and continue to cook, turning them every few minutes, until they are tender, about 25 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt.
• Spoon a thin layer of the Gorgonzola butter onto a platter and top it with the squash. Sprinkle with the minced parsley, hazelnuts, and freshly ground black pepper.

ICEBERG WEDGES WITH GORGONZOLA DRESSING

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine everything but the lettuce. Mash some of the cheese to thicken dressing.
• Core the lettuce and cut into 8 wedges. To serve, drizzle dressing over top of wedges and sprinkle with ground pepper.