BEST-Tasting Grocery Store or Your Own Recipe Ranch Dressing? (russian, French, marinade)

[70's Music Girl]

Since everyone likes Ken's dressing so much has anyone tried their Raspberry vingerrette ?
It looks really good, I may give it a try.

[MikePRU]

I love Ken's Italian dressing. I grew up in the town where the actual Ken's Steakhouse is located and Italian is the original flavor of Ken's dressing that helped make the restaurant famous. It also makes a fantastic marinade. Most of their dressings are pretty good.

[70's Music Girl]

^^^^^^ How Cool ! I'm sure it's a great steakhouse, packed every night. Is it still there ?

[texdav]

Originally Posted by sskink

Cardini's or go home.

I believe that is the original Cesars but then some like different brands as to taste.

[gentlearts]

We usually make our own Caesar, but I can like Cardini's or Ken's.

[gouligann]

Rene's is very good.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by loveorangecounty

Girards light Caesar . People always ask the brand when I use it.

For us, all Girards dressings are the best. They have a chanpange dressing that is to die for, as well as the Caesar. We use very few bottled dressings, but I do keep a couple of bottles of Girads in the fridge all the time. Cardinis is also pretty good. I don't see the attraction to Ken's. To me they are no different than any other mid priced brand.

[MikePRU]

Originally Posted by 70's Music Girl

^^^^^^ How Cool ! I'm sure it's a great steakhouse, packed every night. Is it still there ?

You know . . . the restaurant is a vestige of a by gone era. Going in there is like taking a trip back in time. The décor hasn't changed in decades and the restaurant is setup in a way that other restaurants are not anymore. There are multiple rooms each with a different "theme" and overall it's a pretty large restaurant. It's not as popular as it once was and IMO the food there isn't anywhere near as good as a modern, high end steakhouse. With the exception of the salad, I would say the food is on the same level as a Longhorn or Outback. It's definitely a local landmark though.

[gguerra]

I know the thread is about bottled dressing but I prefer to make my own and it is not that difficult. Throw these ingredients in a blender. You can leave the anchovy out but I like it and it makes it more like the original and yes it does contain raw egg so make sure your eggs are fresh.

3 Tbl Red Wine Vinegar
1 Tsp Worchestire Sauce
1/2 Tsp Salt
1 Egg
1 Clove Garlic Minced
2 Anchovy Filets
1 Tbl Dijon Mustard
1 Lemon Juiced
1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (I use the good stuff)
Black Pepper to taste

Refrigerate for at least a couple of hours to help the flavors blend.

[sheena12]

I mostly make my own dressing. There are a few store bought ones that I find palatable - I like Drew's Lime Sesame dressing. Not overly sweet, and it can pass for homemade. Same for Ken's Steakhouse Asian dressing. I use the lite version. Unlike most bottled like dressings, it is not overly sugary.

Another one that I occasionally use is Hidden Valley Ranch buttermilk based dressing. From the packet, not the jar. It's usually a crowd pleaser and I keep it on hand for entertaining or church pot lucks.

I tried a Pumpkin Spice dressing that was quite good in a Harvest Salad with Romaine lettuce, cheddar cheese, sliced apple, pumpkin seeds, and grapes.

There are a few others that are passable. But they are few and far between. I may think of others later on.

So what are your favorite store bought salad dressings? Which ones do you like, and why?