Homemade Poppyseed Dressing and A New Salad!

May 10, 2010Katie

Poppyseed dressing is one of my favorite salad dressings. This is great over salads but also wonderful drizzled over a fresh fruit salad.


This recipe came to me through my kids Great-Grandma on their Dad’s side.  My kids affectionately referred to her as “Mamoo”.  Mamoo was a true southern lady who made wonderful southern food.  She taught me this recipe.  Use your blender, if you have a good one, or your food processor, and you can whip this dressing up in minutes flat. Look how easy this is…

This is the perfect time to make this dressing because Vidalia onions (super sweet!) are in grocery stores all over right now.  If you can find them, I highly recommend using one! 

Cut a medium size onion in half.  Cut it in half again and toss the chunks into your food processor. (You’re only using 1/2 of the onion).

Dump in one and one-half cups of sugar.  Yes, that’s a lot.  I realize this…

Now you know why poppyseed dressing is so good.  Also measure out one teaspoon of salt.  Toss it in.

Pour in two-thirds of a cup of apple cider vinegar.

Put the lid on your blender or processor and give it a whir for about one minute. Everything should be completely liquified.

Now using your pour spout at the top of your blender or food processor, very slowly drizzle in 2 cups of vegetable or canola oil.  I haven’t tried olive oil, because I’m not sure if it’s too fruity of a flavor for the dressing.  One day, I’ll just bite the bullet and try it.  I think it might be fine.

Let this continue to blend for about 2 minutes and really emulsify (get thicker).  It will also get quite a bit thicker when it’s refrigerated.

When you have about 20 seconds left to go, add in three tablespoons of poppyseeds.

Let those blend in and you’re done.

Now, poppyseed dressing is kind of a grayish-white dressing.  Mamoo used to make it pretty by adding in a few drops of red food coloring.  But I don’t find it necessary.

Pour it into a jar or bowl, and you’re ready to go.

You may want to chill your dressing first.  Let me show you what I put mine on.

I grilled up some chicken breasts.  I always do a couple extras to have on hand during the week for a quick lunch.

Slice up a whole chicken breast.

Now, I start my salad with some fresh spring mix.  Then I add the chicken, sliced strawberries, (apples are good too!),green onions and some of my Spiced Candied Walnuts.  Oh yes… I shave on some  fresh parmesan.

Then drizzle some of your freshly made Poppyseed Dressing over top.

And dig in…oh yummmm!

This my friends, is a treat.  Especially on a warm day in the summer.

It’s delicious.

Homemade Poppyseed Dressing
 
Prep time
Total time
 
Author:
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • ½ medium onion (preferably Vidalia)
  • 1½ c. sugar
  • 1 t. salt
  • ⅔ c. vinegar
  • 2 c. canola oil
  • 3 T. poppyseeds
Instructions
  1. In food processor or blender, add onion, sugar, salt and vinegar. Blend for a minute or until totally liquified. Slowly drizzle oil in top of blender or food processor and let blend for an additional 2 minutes to emulsify. Add in poppyseeds and then blend 30 seconds more. Can add a couple drops of red food coloring for a pretty pink color.

 

7 Comments

  • Nanny

    May 10, 2010 at 3:22 pm

    Your Dad and I are hooked on poppyseed dressing! I'll have to make some of this up instead of buying it from the store. The salad looks really yummy too. Love you!
  • Kristen

    May 10, 2010 at 7:13 pm

    Love your photos! Such great color in your salad. YUM!
  • Annie

    May 11, 2010 at 9:50 am

    I really should read your blog more... I need help in the kitchen! And that salad looks incredible. Can I link you up to my blog so I can see when you post?
    1. dishinanddishes

      May 11, 2010 at 9:53 am

      Sure!
  • Dawn’s Diversions

    June 14, 2010 at 5:04 pm

    Oh, my word! That looks heavenly! I'm bookmarking this!
  • ShaRhonda

    June 15, 2010 at 1:47 pm

    Hey, that's my recipe! LOL! I use splenda in mine now instead of the sugar and dried mustard! I also use spinach!
  • Michelle

    May 16, 2011 at 1:35 pm

    Hey Katie. I really LOVE this dressing. It's a keeper of a recipe. I actually posted it with my Strawberry Spinach Salad recipe. Come on over and take a look! mnsaid.blogspot.com

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