~ One Recipe = Two of Mel's Favorite Citrus Salad Dressings: Pink Grapefruit or Sun-Kissed Orange!!! ~

It might be melon season right now but I've just spent the past week focusing on main-dish "citrus fruit in salad" recipes.  I love citrus fruit and rarely does a week pass by that I don't use its juice and/or its zest as an ingredient in something I'm cooking.  On almost a daily basis I eat it or drink it for pure, unadulterated enjoyment -- although I do adulterate it into a refreshing cocktail or two from time to time.  I especially love it worked into salads that contain chicken or seafood. From appetizer to dessert, citrus fruit is a big part of my daily life.  The idea to write this "one recipe = two salad dressings" post today came about in a round about retro sort of way:

Two weeks ago a friend asked me to help him plan a menu for a retro party, more specifically: a 60th birthday party for 60 guests with a 1960's theme and food to match. 

We decided that the main course would be my recipe for ~ The Classic Blue Cheese & Bacon Wedge Salad + Buttermilk, Blue Cheese 'n Chive Salad Dressing ~ + ~ Steak au Poivre (Peppercorn Crusted Filet Mignon ~ = Yum!

Both recipes, along with lots of others perfect for hosting a 60's themed party, can be found in:

 Category 26:  What would Don Draper do?  Retro Recipes from my past to your present!

After working for over a week on the complete party menu, appetizers to dessert, amongst a few other things, I was left with two heads of iceberg lettuce in my refrigerator.  I have always loved this crispy lettuce and have many fond memories of eating wedges of it topped with creamy blue cheese or Thousand Island dressing.  I decided it was time to revive and update the fun-to-eat wedge salad in a manner that would appeal to the modern-day regular-gal or guy who are trying to lighten their daily intake of calories.

If I do say so myself, I think I did a really fine job.  Last Tuesday I posted ~ My Grapefruit, Gorganzola & Walnut Wedge Salad + Pretty in Pink-Grapefruit Citrus Salad Dressing ~.  On Thursday I posted my ~ Shrimp, Orange, Avocado & Onion Wedge Salad + A Sun-Kissed Orange & Very Citrus Salad Dressing ~. You can get both recipes by clicking on the Related Article links below. Both salads, one with chicken, the other with shrimp are wonderful, light, refreshing Summertime meals!  

Need a great go-to citrus dressing in your repertoire?  This is it:

1/2  cup freshly-squeezed and strained pink grapefruit juice (from 1, large juicy pink grapefruit), or:

1/2  cup freshly-squeezed and strained orange juice (from 2 large, juicy oranges)

2  tablespoons high-quality lemon-infused olive oil

2  tablespoons high-quality orange-infused olive oil

1  tablespoon sherry vinegar

3  tablespoons white wine vinegar

4  tablespoons honey

1-1 1/2  teaspoons Dijon mustard

1/8  teaspoon freshly-ground sea salt

1/2  teaspoon freshly-ground peppercorn blend

~ Step 1. Squeeze and strain grapefruit or orange juice as directed.  Place the dressing ingredients, as listed, in a 2-cup measuring container w/tight-fitting lid.  Shake until combined.  Set aside.  Shake again just prior to drizzling on or tossing into salad.  Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.  Shake and serve:

One Recipe = Two of Mel's Favorite Citrus Salad Dressings:  Pink Grapefruit or Sun-Kissed Orange!!!:  Recipe yields 1 1/4 cups of either dressing, enough to dress 4 wedge salads.

Special Equipment List:  citrus juicer (electric, hand held or just your hands); fine mesh strainer; 1-cup measuring container; 2-cup measuring container w/tight fitting lid

Cook's Note:  For when you want to indulge in the classic 'big cold wedge' salad, my recipe for ~ Buttermilk, Blue Cheese 'n Chive Salad Dressing + Why I love Danablu cheese & some chive talkin' too! ~ can be found in Categories 8, 10, or 20!

"We are all in this food world together." ~ Melanie Preschutti

(Recipe, Commentary and Photos courtesy of Melanie's Kitchen/Copyright 2014)

Related articles

~ Mel's Pink Poodle Cocktail (aka... The Salty Dog) ~

~How to: Supreme Citrus Fruits (an easy Knife Skill)~

~ Pretty in Pink-Grapefruit & Citrus Salad Dressing + My Grapefruit, Gorgonzola & Walnut Wedge-Salad ~

~ Shrimp, Orange, Avocado & Onion Wedge Salad + A Sun-Kissed Orange & Very Citrus Salad Dressing ~