 Cheeseburger topped with Russian dressing | |
| Type | Salad dressing orcondiment |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | New Hampshire |
| Created by | James E. Colburn |
| Main ingredients | Mayonnaise,ketchup,horseradish,pimentos,chives,spices |
Russian dressing is apiquantAmericansalad dressing consisting ofmayonnaise andketchup complemented with additional ingredients such ashorseradish,pimentos,chives, mustard, andspices.[1][2][3]
Russian dressing is mentioned as early as 1900 in U.S. sources.[4] It is also documented in a 1910 catering book as an alternative tovinaigrette for dressingtomatoes orasparagus.[5] A 1913 cookbook has a recipe which is a vinaigrette with paprika and mustard.[6] A mayonnaise-based recipe is documented in 1914.[7] The condiment came to be called "Russian" since the original recipe includedcaviar, a staple of Russian cuisine.[8]
Local historians claim that the mayonnaise-based version was invented inNashua, New Hampshire, by James E. Colburn in the 1910s.[9] A 1927 biographical article calls him "the originator and first producer of that delectable condiment known as Russian salad dressing".[10] Colburn had been selling "Colburn's Mayonnaise salad dressing" at his store since at least 1910.[11]
To have conferred upon the epicurean tastes of a great body of people a delicacy at once as refined as it is permanent in its popularity is not to have lived in vain; rather it is to have added to the joy of living. ... [Colburn] hit upon an assembly of ingredients, which he named Russian salad dressing, ... [and earned] wealth on which he was enabled to retire. ... As he rests on his laurels, he is conscious of having done his part well in conferring a blessing upon the people who have learned the art of eating well.
— Hobart Pillsbury,New Hampshire Resources ...[10]
By 1914, Colburn's company was manufacturing it,[12] and distributing it to retailers and hotels. He earned enough from its sale to retire in 1924.[10]
Typicallypiquant, it is today characteristically made of a blend ofmayonnaise andketchup complemented with such additional ingredients ashorseradish,pimentos,chives, mustard, andspices.[1][2][3]
Besides being used as a salad dressing, Russian dressing is used as aspread forReuben sandwiches.
In the United States, Russian dressing has largely been supplanted byThousand Island dressing, which is sweeter and less spicy than Russian.[10]
Other combinations of mayonnaise and ketchup, but without the spicy ingredients, are known asfry sauce or other names, and typically served withFrench fries ortostones.
In Australia, sauce made from mayonnaise and ketchup is called "cocktail sauce" and is used to dress prawns/shrimp inprawn cocktail.
Tartar sauce has the piquant ingredients of Russian dressing, without the ketchup. It is typically served with fried fish.
Marie Rose sauce is similar to Russian dressing, but with different piquant ingredients. It is typically served with seafood.
A variant known as red Russian dressing is very much likeCatalina orFrench dressing.[13]
InGermany andItaly, a similar salad dressing is called "American dressing".[14] Sometimes in Italy it is also called a "burger sauce" or "burger dressing".[15]
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| Condiments | .jpg) | |
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