From aioli to Greek dressing, from ranch to zero calorie dressing, over 175 recipes for salads and salad dressings are included in Long's book The Best Dressed Salad (Long Creek Herbs, 2006). Long recommends using the freshest ingredients possible, to create the most flavorful salads and salad dressings. For instance, fresh herbs should be used instead of dried herbs, and freshly squeezed lemon juice should be used instead of bottled lemon juice.
In the introduction to the book, Long writes: "It wasn't until the mid 1800s, when cookbooks were first printed for the masses, that common people encountered salad dressings. Before that, a bit of salt, some bacon grease and a bit of vinegar might be the most exotic dressing common people ate."
Many of the recipes contained in the book include a paragraph or two of the history of the salad dressing. For example, a brief history of Green Goddess Dressing is given at the beginning of that recipe.
Sample Recipe from The Best Dressed Salad
Green Goddess is a dressing made from a mixture of mayonnaise, anchovies, tarragon vinegar, parsley, scallions, garlic and spices.
Green Goddess Dressing Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/3 cup finely minced parsley
- 3 tablespoons finely minced chives or green onions
- 2 tablespoons anchovy paste or finely minced anchovies
- 3 tablespoons tarragon vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic - minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Green Goddess Dressing Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk to blend.
- Refrigerate, where it will thicken and the flavors will blend.
- Or, for a more creamy dressing, put everything into a blender and blend until smooth.
- Makes about 2 cups.
About the Author
Long is the author of over 27 books, including How to Eat a Rose, Growing & Using the Top 10 Most Popular Herbs, and Great Herb Mixtures You Can Make. Long's books are all published by his herb company, Long Creek Herbs.
Long has been a regular columnist for the Herb Companion magazine for the past sixteen years. His articles also appear regularly in the Herb Quarterly, The Heirloom Garden, and The Ozarks Mountaineer magazines. Long maintains a personal blog, called Jim Long's Garden.
Contact Information
- Long Creek Herbs
- P.O. Box 127
- Blue Eye, MO 65611
- 417-779-5450
- Website: www.longcreekherbs.com
About the Book
Spiral bound paperback, 104 pages.
- Author: Jim Long
- Title: The Best Dressed Salad
- Publisher: Long Creek Herbs
- Date: 2006
- ISBN: 10889791-19-9
Additional Salad Recipes
Greek Vegetable Salad Recipe; Hearty Side Dish Festooned with Olives, Cilantro and Feta Cheese
Taboule Salad Recipe; Middle Eastern Side Dish Featuring Fresh Herbs and Vegetables.
Lynn Smythe - ABOUT THE WRITER Born and raised in Rochester, New York, freelance writer Lynn Smythe obtained her bachelor's degree in Geology from ...
