The Best Wedge Salad

We had the most amazing wedge salad at a restaurant and I had to recreate it the next day! It had all the regular stuff but a few of the things were extra delicious so I'll put those recipes together here.

Peppered Candy Bacon

1 package of thick cut bacon (the recipe doesn't give an exact amount, so just use the amount you'll need)

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp black pepper

1/8 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (add to taste and preferred spice level)

It's easiest to bake the bacon in the oven. Preheat oven to 325. Line a baking sheet with foil and use a cooling rack and lay the bacon out on so the grease drips below on the pan. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and use a brush to coat both sides of the bacon. Bake for 20-25 minutes, remove pan and flip bacon and coat with any remaining syrup mixture. Bake another 20-25 minutes until bacon is crispy. Try not to eat it all before you crumble it for your salad. If you don't want to bake it you could chop it up before cooking it in a pan, once crispy, cook in the sauce until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce is thick. 

Pickled Red Onions (this makes a lot so you can half the recipe if you love math)

2 red onions, sliced thinly

1 1/4 cup water

1 1/4 cup white vinegar

3 Tbsp sugar 

1 Tbsp sea salt

Slice onions in thin strips. Combine remaining ingredients in a jar or container that will allow for the onions to be submerge. Add in onions and let sit for several hours but it's better over night. 

For the salad - 

Use a wedge of iceberg lettuce (or chop it like a normal salad). Add blue cheese, peppered bacon, pickled onions and whatever other toppings you like! I don't do tomatoes but you could add those or croutons if you'd like. The restaurant used a yummy herb ranch. Enjoy!