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Monday, January 18, 2016

American Dressing



I was scrolling down my Instagram feed and spotted
a yummy looking salad from someone in Germany.
They described it as 'a big salad with American Dressing'.
Well, we don't have anything called American Dressing
here in America! haha.  But it was peachy looking and
I wondered if it might be Thousand Island.
I did a little Google search and found that it is
mayonnaise based and had chopped pickles in it.
Sounds like Thousand Island to me!
They also sell it in a squeeze bottle to put on burgers.
Sounds like McDonald's Special Sauce, doesn't it?
In a strange coincidence, we hadn't had Thousand Island
dressing in quite a while and I had just picked up a jar
at the grocery a few days ago.  How American of me!
Sometimes I make my own....just mayo, ketchup,
chopped onions, pickles, s&p and a little sugar.  Tasty!

Another thing I discovered.  Thousand Island Dressing
got it's name from the beautiful area where it was first
prepared, Thousand Island, New York.  The story goes,
in the 20th century, a fishing guide's wife, Sophia Lalonde,
made it for her husband's shore dinner.
And the rest is history, you might say!



52 comments:

  1. Isn't that just always the way? Half the time you spot a product called Italian this or New York that they never heard of it in Italy or New York.

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    1. BTW I just googled the Thousand Island area. It looks just lovely. I do enjoy a good lake, and one featuring loads of little islands is extra special.

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    2. I've never been there but it does look lovely!

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  2. yum, I really like this dressing, the one you have here is different from any we have here in our stores,,
    I always just made our own too, I like it says No preservatives,

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    1. Making your own is always fun. If you're going to buy it though, I like this brand!

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  3. I don't think I have seen American dressing in the stores here. There is a small amount of different kinds French Dressings in the local supermarket. My particular favourite is a basic vinaigrette to which I can add a lorra garlic!
    We have a small French population here, I think that is probably the reason for the variety.

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    1. I haven't had French dressing in a long time. It must have been my mother's favorite because that's what we had most often. ha. She made her own...very yummy! I'll have to dig that recipe out!

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  4. Yeah for the Americans....My mom made Thousand Island dressing...so grew up with it. She made it just like you, and that is how I do it too. I don't make it often, as my dearests is a Ranch or Vingarette fan. Also mom made ketchup, mustard, brown sugar for her glaze for meatloaf...I still do that too.

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    1. The Mister grew up on homemade Thousand Island but he prefers Honey Mustard these days. Still, it's a nice change. I like Ranch a lot...but my favorite is Poppy Seed.

      I made that same glaze for my meatloaf! yum.

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  5. Funny how little things become history
    Sometime the how is a mystery
    So it's kinda like Canadian bacon is to here
    You have that and we have no such grocery gear

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    1. You had to come to NYC
      to try the Canadian bacon, you see.
      And then it was a disappointment
      when you already made the appointment.
      More like ham than anything else.
      On your tongue it doesn't melt.
      hahaha....

      what rhymes with else???

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    2. haha never again
      Here at my den
      Blah to that
      Give it to the cat
      Not much rhymes with else
      Unless you make it up like smeltse

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    3. Smeltse it will be!
      I'll add it to the dictionary. lol.

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    4. Smelts (without the "e" on the end) is an actual word. Plural of the fish. We used to catch smelt while we were camping and fry them up in butter and lemon. Yum.

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  6. Haven't had Thousand Island dressing in a Thousand Years! Well, maybe a few years but it sounds so good!
    After having your recipe for our dinner the other night ( Chicken Spaghetti Squash), I'm taking your "word" and giving this a try, again.

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    1. We had those squashes last night! haha....but we didn't have the chicken in them this time.
      I guess they were vegetarian.

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  7. I grew up on one of the Thousdand Island's on Lake Ontario, ate way to much of this as a kid not a fan anymore. As for Canadian Bacon blech give me the good stuff!

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    1. Isn't it funny how the things we grew up on make us tired of them the rest of our lives? haha.
      I have a few foods like that...things I haven't eaten in decades!

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  8. I remember going out as a 4 or 5 year old and getting a big folks salad. I had 1000 Island and it was really good. Growing up in Yorba Linda (birthplace of Nixon) Ca mom always made fresh avocado dressing at home. I think a lot of us went over to ranch when that became popular. I have found anything Marzetti is really really good. Whoever does their recipes is spot on. Enjoy!

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    1. Now I want to try fresh avocado dressing! I bet I'd love it. I do agree with the Marzetti....we like all the flavors...it's the only brand I buy!

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  9. My husband is a fan of this, but I just don't like it! lol How un-American of me!

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    1. haha....I think it's one of those thing you either love or hate!

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  10. Isn't that interesting? I haven't bought it for some time. Better pick some up!

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    1. I hadn't either....if we don't like it, maybe I can make some big macs. haha.

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  11. How interesting! One of my favs. I've never made it, though. I should try your recipe.

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    1. It's pretty easy....when we were first married and poor, it's the only dressing
      we ever had! haha.

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  12. Not a big fan of Thousand Island Dressing but haven't had it in years so maybe I should try it again. Or make the homemade version.
    Two thirds of the Thousand Islands are in southeastern Ontario and it is an absolutely stunning cruise to take. If you ever get the opportunity you would love it.
    There are 1,864 islands and I was reading that in order to "qualify" as an island the land within the river channel must have at least one square foot of land above water level year-round, and support at least two living trees. The photis of the little ones are too darn cute!

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    1. That cruise sounds amazing! I've only been on cruises in the Caribbean....that one would be a fun change!

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    2. Mmmmmm... thinking how lovely the Caribbean would be right about now!

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  13. Funny with the names ... We don't use dressings, exeptionally hubby will buy mayo or a ketchup ... but I use lots of apple cider vinegar in my salads or on vegetables. Have a wonderful Sunday!

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    1. I think I saw a salad you made and I noticed it didn't have dressing on it! Vinegar and oil is a common topping for dressing here. Too many people drown their salad in dressing, which I find very yucky. Just a little goes a long way!

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    2. So true and these dressing are usually quite fatening ... I like to put olive oil the most but I also try to alternate the oils, I use hemp oil, linen oil, right now pumpkin oil ... and then always a bit of apple cider vinegar. Aplle cider vinegar is said to help with digestion and I find that to be true :-)

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    3. I've been reading about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar just this week! It's in all the detox drinks.

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  14. Hi Betsy .. yes name changes, but essentially the same ... Thousand Island Dressing is good and I too quite often make my own .. or just live with what I've got! But that Marzetti brand looks good. Interesting to read Suza's description of the 1,000 island's name origin.

    We have a sprinkling of snow!! Cheers Hilary

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    1. It's snowing again here this morning! Big, fluffy flakes! I love it!

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  15. Hi Betsy, that someone from Germany with that big yummy salad and the American dressing was actually me. :D How funny! Your post was just displayed on my dashbord and I clicked on it to read it, like I always do. I don´t comment often, but I always read your blogposts! So when I read the first words of this post, I was just smiling. This made my day! Thank you! ♥
    And about this American dressing: Here in Germany, and in most European countries, you can buy American dressing in most supermarkets. It is a lot like Thousand Island dressing, but without the chunks like onions, pickles... Thousand Island dressing is also available here, but the American is much more plain from texture. It basically consits of yoghurt, cream, tomato paste, egg yolk, sugar, mustard and herbs like parsley, chive, dill and tarragon. It´s kinda funny, how things are named in different areas of the world. I bet you guys have something "german" in the states, that we here call by a different name. This is actually very interesting. :)

    Have a wonderful day! ♥
    Sabrina or @ti_nk on Instagram

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    1. Sabrina! :) Hi and I'm so glad you commented! Now that is interesting....all of it! I did notice that your dressing was very smooth, so no pickles or onions in it. It sounds really yummy!

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    2. Sabrina! :) Hi and I'm so glad you commented! Now that is interesting....all of it! I did notice that your dressing was very smooth, so no pickles or onions in it. It sounds really yummy!

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  16. Simple and fun! it's nice to read your history, we have a good time me .. I only eat sauce, I pay attention to weight!!! haha

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    1. Well, you're right about that...dressing adds a lot of calories to a healthy salad if you aren't careful!

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  17. Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog! :)

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  18. I use it only rarely and usually make my own - but there are some things it just goes perfectly with.

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  19. I only eat thousand island on a Rueben sandwich. My fav is tangy tomato from Outback, but it's not sold in stores, so I usually use catalina with a little hot sauce to perk it up. Jan

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    1. Well, thanks for reminding me that it goes on rueben sandwiches! I love them but rarely have them!
      What a great excuse to make them...I already have the dressing! I like your idea of a little hot sauce, too! Yum. That sounds delish!

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  20. Love Thousand Island Dressing. My absolute favourite. Interesting about the history . . . :)
    Yum

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    1. It really was...I didn't know either and would have thought it was from a tropical place...lol....

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  21. There is also the Thousand a Islands in Ontario..in the Kingston area....beautiful spot on Lake Ontario...
    Not a fan of Thousand Island dressing...but...to each their own, eh Betsy! A bit heavy for me...
    Very cold this am....you?
    Have a wonderful day...I need to feed Lissa's bunch of cats today! They are away up north...at a beautiful cottage...with the dogs!
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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  22. We bought 1000 Island dressing for Reuben sandwiches... We hadn't had it here in years! It was excellent, maybe next time I'll make it!

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