Introduction
This “Simple Is Best” Dressing brings together fresh ingredients to create a versatile and delicious addition to your salads. With its straightforward recipe, it’s perfect for anyone who loves flavorful dressings without the complexity of hours in the kitchen. The combination of herbs, spices, and butter not only enhances taste but also provides a rich texture that elevates any dish.
Tips for this recipe
Ensure all your ingredients are at room temperature to achieve the best consistency in your dressing. If using day-old bread, choose one with no molds and a soft texture; it’s ideal as its starches break down more easily when mixed. To avoid clumps, sift flour if needed, especially when incorporating into butter for an emulsified base.
Why you will love this recipe
This dressing stands out due to its harmonious blend of flavors and the satisfying richness it brings to salads. The use of day-old bread might seem unusual, but it’s an ingenious way to add body without altering the fresh taste with gluten formation from raw flour. Its simplicity ensures you can whip up this dressing in no time while still enjoying a gourmet touch that will impress both family and friends.
Ingredients
– ¾ cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for baking dish
– 1 pound good-quality day-old white bread, torn into 1″ pieces (about 10 cups)
– 2½ cups chopped yellow onions
– 1½ cups ¼” slices celery
– ½ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage
– 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
– 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
– 2 teaspoons kosher salt
– 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
– 2½ cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth, divided
– 2 large eggs
Advised equipment
– Stand Mixer
– Blender
– Bowl
– Whisk
– Glass Jar (for storage)
– Measuring Cups
– Measuring Spoons
– Lemon Juice Squeezer (optional for lemon juice extraction)
– Vegetable Peeler (optional, if recipe calls for peeling ingredients like garlic)
History of the recipe
The concept of using day-old bread in dressings isn’t new. It has roots in various traditional cuisines where stale bread was repurposed into soups, stews, and as a base for gravies to make it soak up flavors better. This particular “Simple Is Best” Dressing takes inspiration from that idea by turning leftover bread into a delectable and nutrient-rich dressing component. Over the years, this method has evolved with modern culinary trends focusing on zero-waste cooking while highlighting natural flavors through homemade ingredients.
Fun facts about this recipe
Did you know that using day-old bread in dressings isn’t just a sustainable choice but also enhances the texture and absorbency of your culinary creation? This “Simple Is Best” Dressing not only taps into eco-friendly practices by reducing food waste but also offers an unexpected twist on traditional recipes. With ingredients like unsalted butter, fresh herbs, and vegetable broth, it’s a testament to how simple elements can combine to create something extraordinary in the world of gourmet cooking.