Thursday, April 9, 2009

Dressings

I am really not trying to turn this blog into something that is all about food, but I made Caesar Salad last night and had a request for the dressing, so I thought I'd share. Also, when I don't have anything else to write about, I can go on for days about food :) I typically am not a giant fan of mayo and this dressing doesn't have any which I love.  I wouldn't exactly say this dressing is healthy, but it definitely doesn't have all the added preservatives, etc. that other store bought ones do.  I also think it tastes a lot better.

Classic Caesar Dressing:

Ingredients

3 medium garlic cloves, chopped
2 tsp dijon mustard
4 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tsp heavy cream (I have used milk)
Dash of Worcestershire sauce
6 anchovy fillets, chopped (see note)
2 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper

"Combine all the ingredients except the olive oil in a blender or food processor.  Mix.  Add the olive oil in a steady stream until combined.  Transfer to a medium bowl.  Dressing keeps in the refrigerator for 5 days"

Okay that was what the recipe said.  Now, when I make mine I really don't like to dirty my food processor for something so little.  Also, I usually plan on serving the dressing right away so it is not a big deal for me if the dressing separates a little.  What I do is press the garlic either into a shaker or in a little mixing bowl.  I then add everything except the oil and shake (or whisk) together.  Then I drizzle in the oil and shake (or whisk) again.  This honestly works fine for me. The reason you would do it in the food processor or blender is to really emulsify it so it doesn't separate as badly.  If you are serving for a party or something, I probably would.

Note:  About the anchovies.  I personally love them.  Some don't.  If you don't, then just completely leave them out.  Also, I am really cheap.  I hate buying a whole can and wasting half of it.  So, I buy anchovy paste and use like a teaspoon of it.  It keeps in the fridge forever and I'm not wasting.


Here is another dressing that I like.  It has a zip and and is creamy without being super duper fattening.  

Tangy Buttermilk-Horseradish Dressing

Ingredients

1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup sour cream (I use light)
1 1/2 tbsp prepared horseradish
2 medium garlic cloves, chopped
1 1/2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup chopped flat leaf Italian parsley
Pinch of sugar
1 tsp lemon zest
Salt and Pepper

Mix all the ingredients together with a whisk in a medium bowl.  Keeps for five days in the fridge.

Have a great day!!!

4 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness...so much yumminess first thing in the morning!
    Thank you!
    ~AM

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've been searching for a Caesar dressing recipe. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. they sound Yummy! thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love fresh salad dressings. Yummy!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much commenting! It really brightens my day!