Skip to main content

“Russian Island” Dressing

The original Russian dressing was actually made with yogurt. Early in the 20th century, some chef in Chicago replaced the yogurt with mayonnaise—and that’s when it became one of the most popular salad dressings in the country. That little tweak also made it one of the most caloric and unhealthy salad dressings around. In this version, the best of both Russian and Thousand Island dressing, the fat has been reduced from 16 grams to less than 1 gram per serving. It’s perfect for salads, charcuterie—and, of course, the classic Reuben sandwich.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 1 1/4 cups (10 servings)

Ingredients

1/2 cup Rocco’s Magnificent Mayonnaise (page 200) or store-bought low-fat mayonnaise, such as Hellmann’s Low-Fat Mayonnaise Dressing
1/2 cup reduced-sugar ketchup, such as Heinz
1 dill pickle, chopped fine (about 1/3 cup)
1 garlic clove, mashed to a paste
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 packet (3.5 g) Truvia
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 tablespoon hot sauce, such as Frank’s RedHot Original

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine all the ingredients in a medium bowl, and whisk until fully combined. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

  2. nutritional information

    Step 2

    Fat: 16g (before), 0.9g (after)

    Step 3

    Calories: 160 (before), 20 (after)

    Step 4

    Protein: 0g

    Step 5

    Carbohydrates: 2g

    Step 6

    Cholesterol: 2mg

    Step 7

    Fiber: 0g

    Step 8

    Sodium: 220mg

Now Eat This by Rocco DiSpirito. Copyright © 2010 by Rocco DiSpirito. Published by Random House Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. Hailed as the "Leading Chef of his Generation" by Gourmet magazine, Rocco DiSpirito received the James Beard Award for his first cookbook, Flavor. He went on to author Rocco's Italian-American (2004), Rocco's Five Minute Flavor (2005), Rocco's Real-Life Recipes (2007), and Rocco Gets Real (2009). DiSpirito also starred in the Food Network series Melting Pot, the NBC hit reality series The Restaurant, and the A&E series Rocco Gets Real.
Read More
Like airy lemon chiffon cake and a Cadbury egg–inspired tart.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like a cucumber-cilantro chutney sandwich and scallop piccata.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Use this simple vinaigrette to dress a plate of greens, some steamed potatoes, or anything else that strikes your fancy.
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.
A why-didn't-I-think-of-that technique takes this classic from great to greater.