Gloria Pitzer's Creamy Garden Dressing
Inspired by the beloved flavors of Olive Garden, this creamy dressing created by Gloria Pitzer elevates salads with its rich, robust taste while maintaining a healthy twist. Gloria, renowned for her ability to replicate famous foods without the unhealthy additives, believes in transparency when it comes to ingredients. Her method emphasizes wholesome components, ensuring that each bite is as good for you as it is delicious. With a perfect blend of Italian dressing, parmesan, and just the right amount of sweetness, this dressing is not only versatile for salads but also a fantastic dip for your favorite vegetables. Enjoy the fresh flavors and delightful crunch that make every meal feel special!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Italian dressing
1 1/2 cups (bottled)
Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons (grated)
Sugar
2 tablespoons (or equivalent in artificial sugar)
Egg
1 large (raw (or use egg beaters equivalent to 1 egg))
Mayonnaise
2 tablespoons
Oil
1/4 cup
Fresh spinach
to taste (washed and chopped)
Iceberg lettuce
to taste (washed and chopped)
Romaine lettuce
to taste (washed and chopped)
Onion
to taste (cut into rings)
Radish
to taste (sliced (optional))
Instructions
1
In a blender, combine the bottled Italian dressing, grated parmesan cheese, sugar, raw egg (or equivalent egg beaters), and mayonnaise. Blend on high speed for 30 seconds until the mixture is smooth.
2
Pour the blended mixture into the top of a double boiler and add 1/4 cup of oil. Place over gently boiling water. Stir gently with a whisk until it begins to thicken, ensuring the egg is fully cooked, which should take about 5-7 minutes.
3
Once thickened, remove from heat and allow the dressing to chill for several hours or overnight in the refrigerator for the best flavor.
4
If the dressing is too thick after chilling, simply mix in additional Italian dressing until the desired consistency is reached.
5
To make the salad, combine equal parts fresh spinach, iceberg lettuce, and romaine lettuce. Measure 2 cups for each serving.
6
Drizzle the chilled dressing over the salad just until moistened, being careful not to saturate the greens. Let it stand for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
7
Add onion rings, sliced radishes, or other desired toppings before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gloria Pitzer's Creamy Garden Dressing?
It is a rich, robust salad dressing inspired by the flavors of Olive Garden, created by Gloria Pitzer using wholesome components and a healthy twist.
What inspired this creamy garden dressing recipe?
The recipe was inspired by the beloved and famous salad dressing flavors found at Olive Garden.
Who is Gloria Pitzer?
Gloria Pitzer is renowned for her ability to replicate famous restaurant foods using wholesome ingredients without unhealthy additives.
What are the main ingredients for the dressing base?
The dressing base consists of bottled Italian dressing, grated parmesan cheese, sugar, an egg, mayonnaise, and oil.
Can I use an egg substitute in this recipe?
Yes, you can use an equivalent amount of egg beaters instead of one large raw egg.
How do I blend the dressing components?
Combine the Italian dressing, parmesan, sugar, egg, and mayonnaise in a blender and process on high speed for 30 seconds until smooth.
How is the dressing cooked?
The blended mixture and oil are placed in the top of a double boiler over gently boiling water and whisked until the mixture thickens and the egg is cooked.
How long does the cooking process take?
It typically takes about 5 to 7 minutes for the dressing to thicken in the double boiler.
Does the dressing need to be chilled?
Yes, for the best flavor, the dressing should be chilled in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
What should I do if the chilled dressing is too thick?
If it is too thick after chilling, simply mix in additional bottled Italian dressing until you reach the desired consistency.
What types of lettuce are recommended for the salad?
The recipe recommends using equal parts fresh spinach, iceberg lettuce, and romaine lettuce.
How much salad should I prepare per serving?
The recipe suggests measuring 2 cups of the mixed greens for each individual serving.
How should I apply the dressing to the salad?
Drizzle the chilled dressing over the salad greens just until they are moistened, making sure not to saturate them.
How long should the salad sit after dressing it?
Let the dressed salad stand for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
What are some recommended salad toppings?
You can add onion rings, sliced radishes, or other favorite vegetable toppings to enhance the salad.
Can I use artificial sweetener in this dressing?
Yes, you can substitute the 2 tablespoons of sugar with an equivalent amount of artificial sugar.
Is this dressing versatile?
Yes, besides being a salad dressing, it is described as a fantastic dip for your favorite vegetables.
Is this recipe considered vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is categorized as vegetarian.
How much Italian dressing is needed for the base?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of bottled Italian dressing.
How much parmesan cheese is used?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese.
How much oil is added during the heating phase?
One-quarter cup of oil is added to the mixture in the double boiler.
How much mayonnaise is in the recipe?
The recipe includes 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise in the blended mixture.
Is the egg in the dressing raw when served?
No, the cooking step in the double boiler ensures the egg is fully cooked before the dressing is chilled and served.
How should the greens be prepared?
The spinach, iceberg lettuce, and romaine lettuce should be washed and chopped before mixing.
What is the flavor profile of the dressing?
It features a perfect blend of Italian dressing and parmesan with just the right amount of sweetness and a rich, robust taste.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are 11 ingredients listed, including the dressing components and the salad greens.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to combine the bottled Italian dressing, parmesan, sugar, egg, and mayonnaise in a blender and blend for 30 seconds.
Why is transparency in ingredients important for this recipe?
Gloria Pitzer emphasizes wholesome components to ensure the dressing is healthy and free from the unhealthy additives often found in commercial versions.
Are the radishes mandatory for the salad?
No, sliced radishes are listed as an optional topping.
What texture should the dressing have after blending?
The mixture should be blended until it is completely smooth before being transferred to the double boiler.