
Golden Nugget Dressing is a creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet dressing featuring cream cheese, citrus juices, and crunchy walnuts. Likely originating in mid-20th-century American kitchens, this retro-style dressing is uniquely suited to fruit and gelatin salads, a popular duo in vintage cooking. Its blend of cream cheese and citrus offers both richness and freshness. When tossed with greens and Roquefort, it transforms into a versatile topping that bridges savory and sweet
Ingredients
- 9 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/3 cup walnuts (finely chopped )
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup orange juice
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp sugar
Optional:
- ¼ cup Roquefort cheese (for green salad variation)
Instructions
Step 1: Soften & Mix Base
- Let cream cheese sit at room temperature until softened.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, orange juice, lemon juice, and sugar.
Step 2: Blend Ingredients
- Beat the mixture with a rotary or electric beater until smooth and well blended.
Step 3: Add Crunch
- Fold in finely chopped walnuts.
Step 4: Chill and Serve
- Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Serve over fruit or gelatin salad.
- For a green salad version, add 1/4 cup crumbled Roquefort cheese before serving.
Tips
- Add the optional ¼ cup Roquefort cheese for a tangy green-salad version.
- Use fresh-squeezed orange juice for a brighter citrus flavor.
- Swap walnuts for pecans or omit nuts if serving someone with allergies.
- Add a pinch of salt to balance sweetness.
- Thin with a splash of milk or cream if you prefer a pourable consistency.
- For a fruit salad, mix in chopped pineapple or mandarin oranges.
- For a Jell-O salad, fold in whipped cream for a fluffier texture.
- Add grated orange zest for extra citrus aroma.
- Substitute Greek yogurt for part of the mayonnaise for a lighter option.
Nutrition
Calories: 118kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2.9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3.8gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 105mgPotassium: 53mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 4.5gVitamin A: 205IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 0.2mg
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