Cook's Illustrated

Lighter Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

Published April 2, 2007.

It's no secret that creamy dressings pack a caloric wallop—but does this mean that they're off limits for those watching fat and calories?

The Problem

Classic blue cheese dressing adds 100 calories and 8 grams of fat to a salad—per serving.

The Goal

We wanted a lower fat but still creamy and tangy dressing, with a hint of sweetness and just enough blue cheese flaavor.

The Solution

First, we replaced the sour cream and mayonnaise with reduced-fat versions. We used a strongly flavored blue cheese like Stilton and Roquefort to get maximum flavor from a smaller amount of cheese (and thus used less fat). Finally, we built up flavor with garlic powder, vinegar, and a pinch of sugar.

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