Blue Cheese Dressing: Beyond Salads And Dips

how to use blue cheese dressing

Blue cheese dressing is a versatile condiment that can elevate a variety of dishes. Whether you're a fan of creamy or chunky textures, making your own blue cheese dressing at home is surprisingly easy and allows you to customize the ingredients to your taste preferences. From salads to dips, buffalo wings to steak, this tangy and flavourful dressing adds a unique twist to both classic and experimental dishes. With just a few simple steps and high-quality ingredients, you can create a delicious blue cheese dressing that rivals any store-bought option.

Characteristics Values
Use Salad dressing, dip, or spread
Common foods paired with Buffalo wings, buffalo cauliflower, iceberg lettuce, bacon, burgers, steak, chicken, rice bowls, crudites, spinach salad, grilled steak, roast beef sandwiches, meatballs
Ingredients Blue cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, milk, lemon juice, vinegar, sugar, garlic, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce
Preparation Combine ingredients in a bowl, stir, and blend until creamy, can be made in a food processor for a smoother consistency
Storage Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days, may thicken over time

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Use as a dip for buffalo wings, chicken meatballs, or veggies

Blue cheese dressing is a versatile dip that can be served with buffalo wings, chicken meatballs, or veggies. Here are some tips and ideas to elevate your next meal:

Buffalo Wings

Blue cheese dip is a classic pairing with buffalo wings, offering a creamy and tangy contrast to the spicy buffalo sauce. To make the dip, combine blue cheese crumbles, sour cream, mayonnaise, and seasonings like garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. For a thicker dip, omit the milk or buttermilk, or add a splash for a thinner consistency. This dip can also be served with buffalo chicken tenders or sandwiches for a delicious flavour boost.

Chicken Meatballs

Chicken meatballs can be baked, fried, or grilled and served with a side of blue cheese dip. The dip adds a creamy texture and a punch of flavour to the meatballs. You can also use the dip as a spread on chicken meatball sandwiches or wraps for an extra indulgent treat.

Veggies

Blue cheese dip is a perfect pairing for fresh veggies like carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumbers, bell peppers, and cauliflower. It adds a creamy and tangy twist to your favourite crudités. For a heartier dip, serve it with crispy potato wedges or French fries. You can also use the dip as a dressing for salads featuring veggies like lettuce, spinach, and bell peppers.

Customisation

Feel free to experiment with different types of blue cheese, such as Gorgonzola, Roquefort, or Stilton, to find your favourite flavour. You can also adjust the consistency of the dip by adding more or less milk or buttermilk. For a lighter option, use low-fat mayo and sour cream or Greek yoghurt. Finally, don't be afraid to add some extra seasonings like Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, or fresh herbs to take your dip to the next level.

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Pour over a salad

Blue cheese dressing is a popular choice for salad lovers. It is a creamy, tangy, and bold dressing that can take salads to the next level. The dressing is quite thick, so it is perfect for dipping. However, if you want to pour it over a salad, you can thin it out by adding a splash of milk, buttermilk, or water.

To make the blue cheese dressing pourable, you can add a tablespoon or two of milk, buttermilk, or water to the base. The base is usually a combination of mayonnaise, sour cream, and blue cheese, with seasonings like parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. You can also add a little garlic powder, sugar, and Worcestershire sauce to taste. If you prefer a lighter dressing, you can replace some of the sour cream with Greek yogurt.

Once you have adjusted the consistency to your liking, simply pour the dressing over your salad. Blue cheese dressing goes well with a variety of salads, including wedge salads with iceberg lettuce, crispy baked bacon, and tomatoes. It also pairs well with salads containing beets, butternut squash, and spinach, or a simple green salad.

Blue cheese dressing is a versatile and tasty addition to any salad, and by adjusting the consistency, you can enjoy it as a pour-over dressing or a dip.

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Add to a crudites platter

Blue cheese dressing is a popular choice for crudités platters. It can be used as a dip for raw vegetables, such as carrots, celery, peppers, and cucumbers. To make a crudités platter, cut the vegetables into thin, even sticks or slices. You can also blanch or roast some of the vegetables, such as asparagus or broccoli, for added variety. Arrange the vegetables on a platter or board, with the dip in a small bowl in the centre.

To make a classic blue cheese dip, start by mashing blue cheese and buttermilk together in a small bowl with a fork until the mixture resembles large-curd cottage cheese. You can adjust the consistency by adding more or less buttermilk; add less for a thicker dip and more for a thinner, more pourable dip. Then, stir in sour cream, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and garlic powder until well blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For added flavour, you can also add fresh herbs, such as parsley, chives, or even a pinch of cayenne pepper.

If you prefer a smoother dip, simply combine the ingredients in a food processor instead of mixing by hand. You can also adjust the consistency by adding a tablespoon or two of milk, buttermilk, or water. For a chunkier dip, use a fork or spatula to gently smash and separate the larger cheese pieces as you mix the ingredients.

For a colourful and textured crudités platter, add a variety of dips and textures. Some popular dip options include hummus, ranch dressing, tzatziki, labneh, or a yogurt-based dip. For crunch, add pita chips, sliced baguette, seeded crackers, or gluten-free crackers. You can even sprinkle some chilli oil, sea salt, or fresh herbs over the vegetables for extra flavour.

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Use as a spread on sandwiches

Blue cheese dressing is a versatile condiment that can add a tangy twist to your sandwiches. You can use it as a spread on sandwiches in place of mayonnaise or other condiments.

For a simple yet indulgent option, spread the dressing on a sandwich with cold, smoky cold cuts and fruit jams. For instance, smoked ham and fig preserve go surprisingly well with the salty, tangy blue cheese spread. You can also add some crunch to this combination with walnuts and a sprinkle of fresh herbs like chives and parsley.

If you're looking for a more substantial sandwich, try a roast beef sandwich with blue cheese dressing in place of mayonnaise. Or, for a vegetarian option, spread the dressing on a tortilla wrap with hot pepper sauce. You can also add buffalo sauce to this combination for an extra kick.

For a heartier meal, make a cobb-style egg salad sandwich by adding bacon, avocado, and blue cheese dressing to your favourite bread. If you're feeling adventurous, try substituting store-bought blue cheese dressing for homemade dressing.

With its strong flavour and creamy texture, blue cheese dressing is a versatile spread that can elevate your sandwiches to the next level.

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Thin out and use as a dressing for grilled steak

Blue cheese dressing is a versatile condiment that can elevate a variety of dishes, including grilled steak. Here are some tips and instructions for thinning out blue cheese dressing and using it as a mouth-watering accompaniment to grilled steak:

Choosing the Right Blue Cheese

Start by selecting a good-quality blue cheese that you enjoy. The type of blue cheese you choose will impact the overall flavour of your dressing. While you can use a cheaper option, keep in mind that higher-quality cheeses will deliver a more flavourful dressing. Gorgonzola is a popular and affordable choice that offers a rich and creamy taste.

Preparing the Dressing

The key to thinning out blue cheese dressing is to adjust the consistency with milk. Start with a basic blue cheese dressing recipe, such as combining mayonnaise, sour cream, blue cheese, parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. You can also add a splash of milk to thin it out and make it more pourable. Experiment with different types of milk, such as regular milk or buttermilk, to find your preferred consistency. If you want a thicker dressing for dipping, you can omit the milk.

Enhancing the Flavour

To enhance the flavour of your blue cheese dressing, consider adding fresh herbs like parsley, which adds both colour and taste. A pinch of salt and pepper can also bring out the flavours and add a spicy kick. If you're feeling adventurous, you can include additional ingredients like Worcestershire sauce, garlic, vinegar, or sugar. These add-ins can be adjusted to your personal preference and can transform your dressing into a steakhouse-worthy creation.

Grilled Steak Accompaniment

Once you've prepared your thinned-out blue cheese dressing, it's time to elevate your grilled steak. Choose your favourite cut of steak, such as skirt steak, flank steak, hanger steak, or flat iron steak. Season the steak with salt and pepper, and don't forget to pat it dry with paper towels before grilling. After grilling your steak to perfection, generously drizzle the thinned-out blue cheese dressing over the top. The creamy, tangy dressing will beautifully complement the juicy flavours of the steak.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Blue cheese dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. It typically lasts for about a week when covered and refrigerated. If you plan to make a larger batch, some recipes suggest it can be stored for up to 10 days. However, freezing is not recommended for this type of dressing.

Frequently asked questions

Blue cheese dressing is a great accompaniment to salads, dips, and wings. You can also use it as a spread on burgers or a sandwich filling.

To make blue cheese dressing, you'll need blue cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, vinegar, sugar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Some recipes also include parsley, lemon juice, and milk. Combine the ingredients in a bowl and stir until well blended and creamy.

It's best to use a high-quality, creamy blue cheese. Gorgonzola is a good option, and you can also use Point Reyes Blue Cheese.

Blue cheese dressing can be stored in the fridge for up to 10 days. It's best to let it sit in the fridge for a few hours or overnight to let the flavors develop.

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