(828) 526-0173 | [email protected] | Copyright 2024 – All Rights Reserved.
Mama’s Salad Dressing
Written By: Jenny King | Issue: 2016/05 - May
Listening to Deborah Berlin speak about her love of cooking is rather like taking a trip around the world.
Deborah, who now shares her passion worldwide for nutrition and healthy living, is also a fascinating storyteller. Her father and mother lived in Iran while he worked for the Near East Foundation in the 1950’s. When they moved back home to the States, finally settling in Augusta, Georgia, they brought with them their taste for Persian recipes.
But it doesn’t stop there. Deborah’s fraternal grandmother was from the area near Kiev, so traditional Russian Jewish recipes were added to the international flavor in the Berlin kitchen. Just like any talented weaver of tales, Deborah not only was able to share many recipes, but seasoned the stories with colorful tidbits of history. Neither of Russian nor Persian origin, however, she says this is her most requested recipe.
Mama’s Salad Dressing for a Large Salad for 4 People
Mince 3 or more medium to large Garlic Cloves; put in small bowl or mortar/pestle.
Sprinkle with Sea Salt (my mama, of course, used good old iodized salt).
Mash the Salt into the Garlic with the back of a spoon or pestle.
Let sit no less than 20 minutes, but it can sit up to several hours if necessary. This is the most important step! The taste is simply nonexistent if you don’t let it sit.
After the Garlic is ready, coarsely add about 3 TBSP of very good Olive Oil, preferably first cold pressed, extra virgin.
Add about 5-6 TBSP good Vinegar of your choice. Today, she uses White Balsamic. Her mama always used Tarragon Vinegar. Vary your Vinegar choice according to the rest of the meal’s flavors. You may prefer more or less Vinegar overall.
When you’re satisfied with the taste of the mixture, grate some fresh Black Pepper into it and stir.
Toss your salad only when you’re ready to serve it. Don’t toss it too early. It will still be delicious but it won’t look nearly as pretty.
Deborah’s partner, Dr. Sue Aery, says one of the most amazing things about Deborah’s culinary talents is her ability to create a feast out of whatever happens to be in the refrigerator. This is the sign of a true artist.
