Blue Cheese Dressing: Anchovy-Free Or Not?

does blue cheese dressing have anchovies in it

Blue cheese dressing is a popular salad dressing and dipping sauce. It is typically made with mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, vinegar, and seasonings like salt, pepper, and sugar. Some recipes also include anchovies, eggs, and Worcestershire sauce. The earliest recording of blue cheese dressing was in the Edgewater Beach Hotel Salad book in 1928, where it was called Roquefort dressing. Blue cheese is a type of Roquefort, a strong-flavored cheese made from ewe's milk and matured in caves.

Characteristics Values
Anchovies No
Common ingredients Blue cheese, buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, vinegar, salt, pepper, lemon juice, parsley, sugar, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce
Consistency Thick, creamy
Calories 137
Carbohydrates 2g
Protein 2g
Fat 14g
Saturated Fat 4g
Cholesterol 14mg
Sodium 386mg
Potassium 50mg
Fiber 1g
Sugar 2g
Vitamin A 107IU
Calcium 53mg
Iron 1mg

cycheese

Blue cheese dressing recipes

Blue cheese dressing is a popular salad dressing and dipping sauce. It is a mayonnaise-based creamy dressing with crumbled blue cheese. The origin of blue cheese dressing is a bit unknown, but the earliest recording is in the Edgewater Beach Hotel Salad book in 1928, where it was called Roquefort dressing. Blue cheese is simply a type of Roquefort, made from ewe's milk and matured in caves.

There are many recipes for blue cheese dressing, and every home cook has their own recipe. However, it usually features the following ingredients: blue cheese, buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk (optional), vinegar, salt and pepper, and fresh parsley (optional).

Ingredients:

  • Blue cheese
  • Buttermilk
  • Mayonnaise
  • Sour cream
  • Milk (optional)
  • Vinegar
  • Salt and pepper
  • Fresh parsley (optional)
  • Lemon juice (optional)

Directions:

  • Mash blue cheese and buttermilk together in a small bowl with a fork until the mixture resembles large-curd cottage cheese.
  • Add in the rest of the ingredients: mayonnaise, sour cream, milk (if using), vinegar, salt and pepper.
  • Stir everything together until well combined and creamy.
  • For a thinner, pourable salad dressing, add more milk or a splash of water.
  • Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days.

Feel free to experiment with different types of blue cheese, such as Gorgonzola or Danish Blue, and add your own twist with ingredients like hot sauce, garlic, mustard powder, or sugar. You can also use plain yogurt instead of sour cream and add fresh herbs like parsley or dill for extra flavor and color.

Enjoy your homemade blue cheese dressing as a salad dressing, dip for veggies or wings, or spread it on sandwiches, burgers, or steak.

cycheese

Anchovy alternatives

Anchovies are small, silvery-green fish with a strong savoury taste. They are typically preserved in salt or oil and are often used to add a salty, briny, umami flavour to dishes. While some people love anchovies, others dislike their intense flavour. In addition, some people may be unable to eat anchovies due to dietary restrictions or allergies. Luckily, there are many anchovy substitutes that can be used to achieve a similar flavour profile.

One option is to use fish sauce, which is essentially fermented liquid anchovies. It works well in stews or other dishes where some extra liquid is needed. Soy sauce is another good alternative, providing a similar salty and umami flavour without the fishiness. It is also suitable for vegetarians. For those who want to avoid soy sauce's high sodium content, a low-sodium version is available.

If you are looking for a plant-based option, there are several anchovy stand-ins to choose from. Capers, for example, offer a briny, tangy, and salty profile that works well in pasta sauces and salad dressings. Olives, especially black olives, provide a rich, salty flavour that can be mimicked by chopping them finely. Seaweed, such as nori or dulse, adds an oceanic flavour to soups or sauces. Nutritional yeast, a vegan favourite, lends a cheesy, savoury note to dishes like Caesar dressing or popcorn.

For those who are not restricted to plant-based options, there are additional anchovy alternatives to consider. Worcestershire sauce, which surprisingly contains anchovies, can be used to add umami complexity to soups, creams, marinades, dips, and pasta sauces. However, it should be used sparingly to avoid overpowering the dish. Shrimp paste is another fish-based option that can be used in place of anchovies.

cycheese

Blue cheese dressing history

Blue cheese dressing is a creamy, mayonnaise-based dressing with crumbled blue cheese. Its origin is a bit of a mystery, but the earliest record of it is in the Edgewater Beach Hotel Salad Book in 1928, where it was called Roquefort dressing. Blue cheese is a type of Roquefort, a cheese made from ewe's milk and matured in caves.

The dressing is known for its strong flavour, which comes from the blue cheese. The higher the quality of the blue cheese, the better the dressing will taste. Blue cheese dressing is also often made with buttermilk, sour cream, milk, vinegar, and simple seasonings like salt, pepper, lemon juice, parsley, and garlic powder.

It is a popular choice for salad dressings, dips for chicken wings or vegetables, and as a spread on sandwiches or burgers. It can also be used as an ingredient in recipes like Buffalo Chicken Lasagna or Bobbe's Super Cheesy Pasta.

Homemade blue cheese dressing is easy to make and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. It is often preferred over store-bought options as it has a better taste and allows for customisation in terms of smoothness, chunkiness, and the intensity of the blue cheese flavour.

cycheese

Health and nutrition

Blue cheese dressing is a popular condiment in the US, typically used for salads or dips for vegetables and buffalo wings. It is made with a combination of other ingredients like mayonnaise, sour cream, or yoghurt, which tone down the strong, tangy taste of blue cheese.

Blue cheese dressing is not a significant source of vitamins and minerals but can increase the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D, E, and K from the diet. It is also a good source of calcium and phosphorus, which are important for bone health and energy production. A serving of blue cheese dressing, which is 2 tablespoons, contains about 130 to 140 calories, most of which come from fat. Blue cheese dressing is also a good source of some heart-healthy fats.

Blue cheese is manufactured through the process of fermentation, which gives it its tangy taste. Fermentation produces good bacteria, which improves gut health. Research indicates that the addition of fermented dairy products to a regular diet, along with a combination of a balanced diet and exercise, can prevent the risk of dementia. Blue cheese also has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Spermidine, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound found in blue cheese, is believed to slow down the natural process of ageing and improve heart health.

Anchovies are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and various vitamins and minerals. They are particularly known for their high content of omega-3 fatty acids, which promote brain and heart health. They also contain selenium, which, if eaten regularly, may reduce the risk of some types of cancer. One serving of anchovies, which is about 5 anchovies, contains about 13.6 mcg of selenium.

While I could not find specific information on whether blue cheese dressing contains anchovies, it is likely that some brands or recipes may include anchovies as an ingredient, given the popularity of anchovies in various dishes and their flavourful and nutritious profile.

Blue Cheese Dip: How Long Does it Last?

You may want to see also

cycheese

Serving suggestions

Blue cheese dressing is a versatile condiment that can be used in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions:

As a Salad Dressing

Thin out your blue cheese dressing with milk, buttermilk, or water to make it pourable. You can then use it as a dressing for a variety of salads. Some specific salad suggestions include:

  • A simple lettuce wedge salad
  • A salad with chicories, pears, pecans, and blue cheese
  • A blue cheese Caesar salad
  • A salad with radicchio, spinach, arugula, romaine, toasted hazelnuts, scallions, blue cheese, pink lady apple, and pomegranate seeds

As a Dip

Keep your blue cheese dressing thick to use it as a dip for vegetables, buffalo chicken wings, or cauliflower wings.

As a Topping

Use blue cheese dressing as a topping for chicken rice bowls or oven-roasted chicken wings.

As a Sauce

Blue cheese dressing can also be used as a sauce for buffalo chicken or as a substitute for ranch dressing.

There are many ways to customize your blue cheese dressing as well. For example, you can add fresh herbs like parsley, or a dash of Worcestershire sauce for some extra 'zing'. You can also adjust the consistency by using milk or buttermilk to thin it out or leave it out for a thicker dressing.

Frequently asked questions

Blue cheese dressing does not typically contain anchovies. However, you can find recipes for blue cheese and anchovy dressing online.

Blue cheese dressing is made with mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, vinegar, salt, pepper, and, of course, blue cheese. Some recipes also include milk, lemon juice, parsley, and garlic.

Homemade blue cheese dressing will last between five and ten days if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Blue cheese dressing is a popular salad dressing and also works well as a dipping sauce for chicken wings, crudites, and veggies. You can also spread it on sandwiches or burgers as a condiment.

The earliest recording of blue cheese dressing is in the Edgewater Beach Hotel Salad book in 1928, but it was called Roquefort dressing. Blue cheese is a type of Roquefort, made from ewe's milk and matured in caves.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment