As my readers from Texas know, Babe's Chicken Dinner House is a beloved Texas tradition! We went to one of their local restaurants recently with some good friends who were visiting (from Oklahoma). The fried chicken is some of the best I've ever eaten and Babe's creamed corn is Hubby's favorite, but surprisingly, I have a strange addiction to the cold bowl of salad that they put on the table first (food is served family style). I say, "strange" because it is so basic. The salad is simply torn iceberg lettuce in a chilled bowl with a vinegar dressing. I know, it doesn't sound impressive, but like Olive Garden's famous salad, I could just go there to have the "rabbit food"! It is delicious and I could tell that the dressing had oil, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper, but wasn't sure of the proportions, that is...until I was looking through an Edna Lewis (famous chef and expert on southern cooking) cookbook and found her recipe for "Old-Fashioned Dressing". I made it that same evening! It was like having Babe's Honeymoon Salad at home. The rejoicing began; I could make a mason jar of this dressing and keep it chilled in the fridge. You have to try this salad...but don't forget to chill the glass bowl if you want to pretend you're really at Babe's! Oh, and get Edna Lewis' cookbook; this one is The Gift of Southern Cooking and was written with Scott Peacock.
Old-Fashioned Dressing
(The Gift of Southern Cooking-page 60)
2 TBSP granulated sugar (I used a little more)
1 tsp salt (I used a little less)
1/4 tsp freshly-ground pepper
1/4 C cider vinegar
2 TBSP peanut or vegetable oil (I used canola)
Put all ingredients in a mason jar; screw lid on tightly and shake vigorously. Pour over clean torn iceberg lettuce and toss. For best results, make sure everything is chilled! This dressing can be made ahead and stored in a cool, dark place for up to 2 weeks. Be sure to shake well again before using.
Swaps:
Blessed with Grace
My Sweet and Savory
33 Shades of Green
All the Small Stuff
A Southern Fairytale
Delightfully Dowling
Beyer Beware
Mandy's Recipe Box
It's a Blog Party
The Blackberry Vine
I love Babe's salad too so I don't think it the least bit strange.
ReplyDeleteI think it's the simplicity that makes it great :) Thanks for reading the blog!
DeleteHi Marcia,
ReplyDeleteI love Babes and this salad. I am so excited to have this recipe, it is going on my Salad today. Enjoy your weekend and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Hope to meet up with you one day at one of these Texas hot spots! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great simple and delicious recipe. Thanks for sharing it on foodie friday.
ReplyDeleteBoth my husband and I are from Texas and Babes is one of our favorite places to eat. Since he joined the Military we've lived in Florida and now Hawaii so no Babes for us. Thank you for posting this recipe! I've been craving it for awhile now.
ReplyDeleteI good eat a bowl of there salad, and of course they have the best fried chicken ever. Have everything I need for the dressing except for the vinegar guess what I just bought. Making tonight when I get home. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteLove the simplicity of this delicious recipe. Fell in love with it on my first visit to Babe's. Thanks.
ReplyDelete