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
- Swap walnuts with pecans for a milder nut flavor.
- Add a dash of salt or pepper to enhance savory applications.
- Use low-fat cream cheese and mayonnaise for a lighter version.
- Blend with a handheld mixer for an ultra-creamy consistency.
Nutrition
Calories: 245kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 4gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 293mgPotassium: 95mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 534IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 87mgIron: 0.3mg
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