Does anyone have a recipe for ranch dressing?

[Incitatus]

I have been unable to find a dressing in the store that tastes as good as the kind served in most restaurants. Does anyone have a good recipe that they have actually used?

Thank You.

[Denninmi]

1. Well, once again, not really a recipe per se.

I'm more of a "start dumping stuff in a bowl" kind of guy.

I usually do this -- about 1 part Mayo, 1 part Sour Cream, then enough buttermilk or milk to thin it down to a barely pourable consistency.

Then, flavor with -- dill (quite a bit), oregano, onion powder or very, very finely diced fresh onion or snipped chives, garlic powder or finely minced or mashed garlic, celery seed, salt, and pepper to taste, plus just a tiny pinch of sugar to bring out the flavor. Can also add just a small squeeze of fresh lemon juice to enhance the flavor as well.

To make about a little more than a cup of dressing, start with a scant half cup each of mayo and sour cream, add about 2-3 tablespoons of milk or buttermilk, about a teaspoons of dill, half a teaspoon each of the rest (assuming you are using all dried herbs and spices -- if you use fresh, use 2-3 times as much of the fresh). Of course, taste is subjective -- you may like more or less of some of these herbs and spices.

Also very nice to add some finely grated cucumber flesh to it to make a cucumber ranch. Or a bit of grated parmesan to make a cheese ranch. You can also sub yogurt for some or all of the sour cream if you wish.

[grasswire]

2. next time you are in a restaurant where you like the dressing, ask them...

...what brand of dressing it is. Chances are (unless they are making their own) that you can then find it in a store. When I've been in a restaurant supply store I've seen the gallon-size jars of Hellman's ranch dressing. Might be that.