So...I'm reading another book...called The Omnivore's Dilemma...by Michael Pollan, who also wrote In Defense of Food that I read and loved. I'm learning how corn is seriously taking over the world....well at least in the food industry. Most foods found in the grocery store when following their food chain...start out on a corn farm. And guess what I found when looking at the label on my ranch mix.........FIRST INGREDIENT: MALTODEXTRIN (processed corn). Also, I buy Wild Coyote Ranch, and read the label on that...not only did it include Maltodextrin...but a handful of other "ingredients" that I did not recognize...or that I did recognize and was really sad it was listed. Ranch is our family's favorite condiment...so...luckily my sweet friend bought me Pioneer Woman's cookbook...and it had a homemade ranch recipe! SOOO EXCITED!
Not to mention that there are 3 things in life I wished I loved...and I try to so hard to eat them, but I just can't choke them down...they are Shrimp, Sushi, and Bleu Cheese (on a wedge). When I see people eating these...oh...it is sooooo sexy...and I want to be sexy...but my taste buds do NOT allow it. So...not only was the recipe for Homemade Ranch there...but it was actually titled: Homemade Ranch with Iceberg Wedge.....that is sexy. I can now cross Bleu Cheese wedge off my "Keep Trying To Love" list!!!! This is a great replacement. And although Ranch may not be the very healthiest....I'd rather eat it clean and real then filled with fake additives.
HOMEMADE RANCH WITH ICEBERG WEDGE
from Ree Drummond's The Pioneer Woman Cooks Cookbook
from Ree Drummond's The Pioneer Woman Cooks Cookbook
1/4 teas kosher salt
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 cup real mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 tp 1/2 cup milk or buttermilk, depending on how thick you want the dressing
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
1 Tb chopped fresh chives
2 Tb chopped fresh dill
1/2 teas distilled white vinegar
1/2 teas Worcestershire sauce
1/8 teas cayenne pepper
1/4 teas paprika
1/2 teas black pepper
dash of hot sauce (optional-which i did not add because of the cayenne pepper, which was the perfect amount of kick for me and my kiddos)
2 heads of iceberg lettuce
1. sprinkle salt over garlic, mashing with fork to make a paste. The finer...the better
2. add all ingredients in bowl together, stirring gently, and adjust seasonings as needed
3. chill for at least 2 hours
4. wash and dry iceberg lettuce, cut into wedges, and drizzle ranch on top
5. (my fave) Be GENEROUS with the dressing...since it needs to reach all the lettuce in the wedge!
Can you tell I A) Loved it and B) followed #5 like a champ...I was very generous with my dressing!
