Monday, January 18, 2010

Salad in Search of Dressing


OK, I'm trying my best over here. But I'm not having much luck in the blue cheese salad dressing department.

First there was this batch, a low-fat version made mostly of water and vinegar and tasting of . . . well, water and vinegar.

Then there was this batch, made of cottage cheese, buttermilk, and blue cheese, blended together. The texture was fine but the taste was bland and uninteresting and not at all blue cheese-pungent.
So help a girl out here, if you can. Know of a great blue cheese salad dressing recipe you'd be willing to share?

Labels:

22 Comments:

Anonymous tasteofbeirut said...

Sure! Take a good blue cheese that you would eat normally on a piece of bread, add some rice or white wine vinegar and oil to it, throw in the blender. Or instead of oil, add some whipping cream or a blend of yoghurt and oil.
By the way, I have a post on my blog about " zaatar" ; I go in details about all you need to know about it, but the short version it is a blend of wild thyme, sumac, toasted sesame seeds and salt. It is sold in middle-eastern stores, online stores, etc or you can make your own blend. Cheers! Joumana

January 18, 2010 at 8:43 PM  
Blogger Lynn said...

Thanks, Joumana, for the zataar info. I did look for a definition on your blog but must have clicked on the wrong link because I couldn't find it. It sounds yummy. And I can't wait to try out your blue cheese dressing ideas :) Thank you so much!

January 18, 2010 at 8:53 PM  
Blogger Moore Minutes said...

Oh perfect! I have one that is absolutely AMAZING! Actually, it is one of my family's top recipe favorites. I would love to share it with you. Feel free to email me at lisanchris@gmail.com You won't be disappointed. :)

January 18, 2010 at 8:54 PM  
Anonymous Barbara said...

I like one using equal parts buttermilk and sour cream- say 1/2 cup each, then 1/4 cup mayo, a couple tablespoons lemon juice, 6-8 oz. blue cheese and salt and pepper. Been using it for years, my dad loved it!

January 19, 2010 at 4:27 AM  
Blogger Lori said...

I have on my blo0g a recipe for blue cheese dressing. I like it- I dont know if it is what you are looking for.

January 19, 2010 at 5:13 AM  
Blogger grace said...

my mom is OBSESSED with blue cheese dressing, so i'll have to see what she has to say about it. i suspect it's one thing that she just goes ahead and splurges on but uses in moderation. incidentally, i think the idea of involving yogurt in some way is a good one.

January 19, 2010 at 5:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've never tried making blu cheese dressing, but I think the first thing I would try is adding blu cheese to the low cal ranch dressing I like. Just a thought. :)

January 19, 2010 at 8:07 AM  
Anonymous Juliana said...

Sorry Lynn, cannot help, I never tried to make blue cheese dressing at home, although we love it, so I will stay tune to the comments that you get :-)

January 19, 2010 at 8:09 AM  
Blogger Sadie said...

1956 American People's Cookbook:

Blue Cheese Salad Dressing
"Gourmet's choice for a tossed green salad"

Mix in a small bowl:
1/2 cup cream, 1 teaspoon prepared mustard, 3/4 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon Worcestshire sauce, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper, 2 or 3 drops tobascao sauce.

Add, about 1 teaspoon at a time, while beating constantly with a rotary beater: 3/4 cup salad or olive oil.
Continue beating while adding gradually 2 tablespoons wine vinegar or cider vinegar.
Add to dressing 1 cup (about 4oz) crumbled blue cheese.
Blend only until mixed. Store dressing in a screw top jar in the refrigerator. Shake well before using. (About 2 cups dressing)

January 19, 2010 at 8:38 AM  
Blogger Lynn said...

Thanks, L, for the recipe (it uses mayo, sour cream, buttermilk, blue cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and a couple other things, for anyone who's curious :)). Sounds great.

January 19, 2010 at 12:41 PM  
Blogger Lynn said...

Barbara and Lori, thank you so much! Your recipes look wonderful. I am feeling abundantly blessed now with blue cheese possibilities :) The pears and walnuts you add to your salad, Lori, sound like great additions, too.

January 19, 2010 at 12:50 PM  
Blogger Lynn said...

Sadie, oh yum, a salad dressing with cream! I'll bet that's good. And how fun, that it came from a 1956 cookbook. I think I might even have some cream in my fridge, left over from some chocolate/cranberry truffles I made at Christmastime.

Thank you, everyone, for all the great suggestions. I'm gonna go get me a big ol' hunk of blue cheese at the store this week and get to experimenting :) Anyone with more ideas, I'd love to hear them.

January 19, 2010 at 1:07 PM  
Blogger Ladybug's Mom said...

Mmm. You've got me thinking about buffalo wings to go with that blue cheese dressing...

January 20, 2010 at 10:34 AM  
Blogger Beth E. said...

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! I appreciate your encouraging comments and your humor. Hooray for engaged sons, eh?! Our oldest son has been dating a girl for about 4 years. They both are still in college. I believe they are hoping to finish college first, then marry (if everything goes as planned). So, yes...there is hope! ;-)

Please feel free to visit me again, anytime! Now...I'm gonna check out some of your recipes.

January 20, 2010 at 10:51 AM  
Blogger Karenpie said...

Hi Lynn!
I don't have a personal recipe - apparently I don't need one - I'll just check out all the yummy ones people are sharing with you!
Tasty Kitchen is my go-to site for recipes b/c they're all "tried and true". Here's a link for a blue cheese dressing I found there:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/salads/chunky-blue-cheese-dressing/

Let us know what the big winner is! I assume you're having a blue cheese dressing contest in your own kitchen . . . . Ha!

January 20, 2010 at 11:24 AM  
Blogger Mimi said...

I make my blue cheese dressing just like Barbara, just use a blue cheese that you like to eat.
Mimi

January 20, 2010 at 1:39 PM  
Blogger Libby@CookingWithLibby said...

Can't helpe you here but I wanted to say I hope you find a good one and post it soon :) And yes...I love your book :) I'm reading it week by week :)

January 20, 2010 at 3:14 PM  
Blogger Alexis AKA MOM said...

Oh man I wish I could be of help, this is one I leave to mom to make.

January 20, 2010 at 4:00 PM  
Blogger Lynn said...

Karenpie, the recipe you linked to looks delightful; thanks! It actually looks really similar to the one Barbara mentioned. I think I'm going to find me a winner here! :)

January 20, 2010 at 5:32 PM  
Blogger Karenpie said...

You're a sweetie.

January 20, 2010 at 6:28 PM  
Blogger Ingrid_3Bs said...

Nope, I'm no help. But when you track down a good recipe you MUST share!
~ingrid

January 21, 2010 at 11:51 AM  
Blogger The Davidson Den said...

No idea on this one. But, hey, thanks for stopping by my blog.

January 23, 2010 at 10:59 AM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home