Ranch Dressing
There are very few foods I dislike. Bell peppers? No thanks. Canned green chiles? Can’t do it. Fruit and chocolate together? I’ll pass. And store-bought ranch dressing is near the top of this dread list. It’s too mild, too weak, too heavy, too…meh. All hope is not lost for the sad category of ranch dressing. This ranch has brought it back to life.
I first heard about the Pioneer Woman and this ranch dressing specifically about 8 years ago. A good friend of mine from work had mentioned she asked for a Pioneer Woman cookbook for Christmas, which Santa brought her, and she had made this ranch recipe. It was sooo good, I kept hearing, so I asked for the recipe and made it straight away.
The white vinegar: an absolute must. The vinegar with the buttermilk and the sour cream create an essential tang. The buttermilk also allows you to play with the consistency of the ranch, depending on what you’re using it for. If I want my ranch to be a dip with fresh veg, I’ll scale the buttermilk back so its a bit thicker. If I want my ranch to go on a salad, I’ll let the buttermilk thin it out.
I’ve made this ranch dressing several times for entertaining. If you whip up a bowl and serve with some crisp veggies, all will be happy. I like serving a warm Brie wheel and jams with this ranch and veg, to contrast the richness of the cheese. This ranch keeps well in the fridge, so Marcus and I also like to take some to work for an easy and health salad, or veggie dip.
Ranch Dressing
From The Pioneer Woman
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 tsp table salt
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 cup parsley, chopped
2 Tbsp fresh dill, chopped
1 Tbsp fresh chives, chopped
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
2 Tbsp white vinegar
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne
Tabasco, to taste
1/4 cup buttermilk
In a medium bowl, mush together the minced garlic and salt with the back of a spoon. Add the mayonnaise, sour cream, parsley, dill, chives, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, white vinegar, paprika, cayenne and Tabasco, and give it a really good stir to combine. Add the buttermilk until it reaches a consistency you like, and taste along the way! Adjust seasonings as needed. Refrigerate and use as a salad dressing or dip for veggies.
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